GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS BILL.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1445, 25 October 1911, Page 5

GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS BILL.

INCREASES IN SALARIES 01'

SECOND DIVISION.

RUN INTO £70,000.

THE GOVERNMENT'S INTEN. TIONS.

By Telegraph—Tress Association. Wellington, Last Night,

When the House of Representatives resumed at 7,80 this evening s an amendment to the Government Railway Bill was introduced by Govemor'B message. The amendment provided for an increase in salaries of the second division, re» storing the relative pcsitiou to various classes, which was destroyed by the increases proposed in the Biilj"

Mr A. S. Malcolm asked if the amendment affected the first divi-

8100.

Hou. Jas. Millar. Minister fnr Railways, ssid "No." He knew there was dissatisfaction because all the railway servants had not got increases. The incrfases provided for would rnn into £70,000, and were all for the saooud division. The Government intended that no married man in the service slionld receive less than 8s fid per day, with a minimum of Bs.

Mr Mafsey asked if the Bill could be amended to provide that there would always be 50 per cent, rf the engine drivers in the first division.

Bon. ,Tbs. Millar replied that this was done as far as the revenue warranted. If it were made a permanency there would be immediate trouble, as wages had to be paid whether tlio trade warranted it or not. The increase in the Bill came into forc9 on November Ist next. The amendment was agreed to.