THE COST OF LIVING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5001, 16 October 1918, Page 6

THE COST OF LIVING.

DISSATISFIED RAILWAYMEN! THREATEN DRASTIC STEPS IF CHANGE IS NOT MADE. Press Association Telegram. WELLINGTON, October 15. The grievances of locomotive engineers are set out in a statement issued by the association executive. This points out that Mr Miller, when Minister for Railways, proposed to bring the men’s conditions more on a par with the Australian service. Before he could do this the Liberal Government was defeated and the present Minister had given preference to the First Division. Since the outbreak of the war the executive had don e ail possible to avoid hampering the Government’s activities in connection with the war, “but the position was becoming so serious, on account of the growing cost of living, that the executive feels that it must appeal to the Government to do a fair thing by the men. The association has asked to he allowed to come under the Arbitration Apt, hut the Minister has put off consideration of this until the men on active service return. If Parliament does not intercede for the men the executive will resign, and this may lead to the association taking more drastic steps to secure the wages and conditions desired.” Press Association Telegram. NAPIER, October 15. The Napier and Waipukurau En-gine-drivers’, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Union has passed the following resolution : —Owing to the utter failure of the National Government to effectively deal with the cost of living problem, this meeting urges the Executive Council to demand a substantial increase in wages. We also ; entirely approve of the efforts they are making to obtain at least time and a half for all night duty during specified hours.