THE RAILWAYMEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18352, 9 March 1920, Page 7

THE RAILWAYMEN.

DISSATISFACTION WITH WAGES RECOMMENDATION. [Pas Prices Association.] AUCKLAND, March 8. A meeting of the Auckland branch of the A.S.R.S. expressed itself thoroughly dissatisfied with the increase of Is a day, and requested the executive council to make representations on tho matter. It was resolved to support the society’s officers in any action deemed neoessary. The meeting passed a resolution against spending public money in entertaining the Prince of Wales. It was resolved—“ That, in view of the fact that the Government has failed to grant its employees a living wage, we further refuse to participate in the celebrations.”

NAPIER, Maroh 8. At a stop-work meeting of the Napier railway employees, the largest ever held here, including shops, traffic, loco, and maintenance men, the following resolutions were passed(l) That this meeting of railway employees, having discussed the report of Mr -Justice Stringer and the recommendations contained therein, have decided to absolutely refuse to accepFTbd same, as we consider the increases recommended totally inadequate to meet the continual increase in the cost of living; also, we cannot agree to differential treatment between married and single men, nor are we prepared to accept less than 2S 6d per day increase, as per the exedemand, from March 31, 1919, up to February 29. 1920; and further 1 , in view of the facts according to tho last ‘ Gazette ’ issued, whioh shows a balance of £1,303,355 above expenditure, we demand a further increase of 2a Gd per day from March 1, 1920. We urge our ecceoutiv© to meet immediately, and pledge ourselves to support them in any measures they may adopt to obtain the increases and conditions asked for, and if the Government do not agree to grant our demands, that the whole matter be placed in the hands of the Transport Workers’ Advisory Board for speedy and determined settlement. (2) That this meeting emphatically protest against the high-paid officials being granted big increases, while Ave are offered Is per day, whioh is nothing short of an insult to members of the Second! Division. (3) W© urge upon members who have applied for military garments not to accept a return of the moneys until further inquiries are made, and we ask our executive to demand a public inquiry into this matter immediately.”

PALMERSTON NORTH, March 8: Tho Palmerston North branch of the A.S.R.S. has requested the executive to refuse to accept the wages conditions outlined in Mr Justice Stringer’s report- It also asks the executive to press for an extra 5s per day. Failing satisfaction within twenty-one days, it proposes a secret ballot on the question of a strike. The branch also asks that the forty-four hour week should be made universal among members of the Second Division, and that tho attention of the Railway Department should be drawn to the shortage of houses in Palmerston North

HAMILTON, March 8. The railwaymen passed resolution! protesting against Mr Justice Stringer’s findings and urging the executive to call stop work meetings throughout the Dominion.

TFrom Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Maroh 8. Officials at headquarters of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and the Locomotive Men’s Association aro unwilling to discuss the Wages Board report until the various branches of their societies have considered itThe _ Wellington railwaymen intend holding a joint mass meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation. (Pbr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 8.

At a mass meeting of the Wellington Branch of the Amalgamated-Society of Railway Servants, held at Petone,’the following resolution was passed unanimously :— ‘ 1 That this branch express its utter dissatisfaction at the findings of the Wages Board, and we call on our executive to take 'immediately a secret ballot of all members as to whether they accept or reject the bonus ; further, in tho event of the rejection of the bonus being carried, that the executive hand tho whole case over to the Transport Workers’ Advisory. Board.”

CANTERBURY RAILWAY OFFICERS.

At a largely attended meeting of members of the North Canterbury Branch of the Railway Officers’. Institute, held last night, the following resolution was unanimously carried:— ‘•'That this meeting of North Canterbury members, having fully considered Mr Justice Stringer’s'finding, totally disagrees with same, as it entirely fails to placo our members on a pre-war footing. T lie cost Of - living is shown by the Government Statistician to be roughly 46 per cent, and the present proposed bonus added to the 45 gives a rise of from 8 per cent in higher grades to 27 per cent in lower clerks grade. We are of the unanimous opinion that our executive should stand for the schedule submitted to the Wages Board, and we will give every possible assistance in gaining same. We also regret that cadets (Grade 8) are ignored and no provision made for a minimum for married cadets.”