THE RAILWAYMEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18354, 11 March 1920, Page 7

THE RAILWAYMEN.

MR MABSBY'S STATEMENT. FOUIt PER GENT TNOREA3E IN PARES AND RATES. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 10. An important statement was issued hy the Minister of Railways to-day. Mr Massey said: " Judge Stringer's report is now the subject of adverse criticism by some of the men for whoso benefit tho board over which he presided was set up. Surely every thinking member of tho community will agreed with mo in saying that the time lias now arrived whon a pause must be called and tho whole position seriously considerecT. Pre-war rates for passenger traffio have already been materially increased, and an impost of 21 per cent has been levied in respect of tho bulk of tho goods traffic in order to stabilise the finances of tho Railway Department, and to meet tho further increase in wages and salaries recommended in Mr Justice Stringer's report, and tbo very serious advance in prices of all railway material and store 1 ?, a further increase of 4 per cent will require to be made in fares and rates. Tlie Government is exceedingly anxious to do everything possible for members of tho publio service, whether in the railway or anv other department, but at a time like this, following the cessation of war expenditure, we must look forward to a period of considerable , financial stringency, and, in consequence, require to be more than usually careful."

WAGES CONDITIONS. [Pkk Prisß Ahsociattoh.] WELLINGTON, March 10. At a representative meeting of tho Woodville branch of tho A.S.R.S. a resolution was passed not to support calling on the executive to take a ballot for or against a strike, but that the executive should be left to deal with the that tho Wages Board's offer of Is per day bonus was not considered sufficient, and that the Executive Council should bo strongly requested to uro;e tbat os'per day increaso is necessary to meet the present cost of living.

[Pun Pjiess AssoctationJ WELLINGTON, March 10. The Wellington _ Railway Officers Institute, after considering the published decision of Mr Justice Stringer upon railway omcers' claims refuses to accept the proffered bonus of £ls. The institute describes the offer as a direct insult to railway officers. Objection is also made to tho offer of £7 10s to single officers. Nothing bat the original claims will bo accepted, sava "tho Institute.

INVEROARGILL, March 10. At a meeting of tho InvorcargilJ branch of th» Amalgamated Government Railway Servants to-night general dissatisfaction was expressed with the Wages Board's decision in regarding bonus and failure to recommend an alteration in working hours and conditions. A vote of all members of the branch will bo taken on the subject-