RAILWAY ANOMALIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17882, 30 August 1918, Page 2

RAILWAY ANOMALIES.

TO TUB EDITOR

Sir, —Tho railway service has received » fair amount of public notice lately. Perhaps a recital of a few of tho anomalies that a section of tho employees have to work under would be of interest. For the information of the public, and for guidance of those contemplating joining the service I would draw their attention to this fact: The work is divided into two claasoa, called divisions (with em >h:;sis on division), first division cier pal), these are officers; second division, designated servants. Tho boy who intends to join the railway service should remember that if he starts as a cadet in the first division his advancement will bo steady and continuous, in salary at least, whereas if ho elects to start as a porter ho will do all the dirty work, also all the dangerous work, and after twenty or thirty years of service ho will probably find himself takini* orders from and receiving less-pay than perhaps his own son, who has etarted in the first division. Intending applicants should remember the following points:—Members of first division lowest salary to experienced man £2lO per year, second division, highest salary (with a few exceptions) £IBO per year. This indicates that a misfit in the first division is paid £3O per year more than the most capable and experienced man in the sacond division; oven a casual clerk can at the ond of four years receive a higher, salary than tho best guard of twenty or thirty years' service. Annual leave, first division 23 days; second division, 18 days. Sick and accident pay, first division, full pay; second division, no sick nay, half-pay accident, after a fortnight < ff. Hours of labours, first division, 36 t'6 42 hours per week, with half-day off; second division, 48 to 72 hours per week, no halfday off. Lodging- allowance, when relieving, first division, 10s (unwards) per day; second divison, 6s (highest) per day. Theso are a few of the distinctions made in the service. Investigations would show many more. Surely this should not bo tolerated in a democratic country. Perhaps tho above is one of the reasons why so many experienced momlvti of the second division with long service and no prospect of advancement get fed up and leave tho service.—l am, etc. EQUALITY WHERE?