THE RAILWAYMEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 17 June 1924, Page 4

THE RAILWAYMEN

BOARD OF INQUIRY (Uuited Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. At. the Railway Wages Inquiry Boar,” to-day Mr Sterling, for the Department argued that in the present ease it was not a question tif cutting wages but of adjustment in accordance with the fluctuation in the cost, of living. On the question of hours Mr Sterling said that previously the men received overtime payment for time worked in excess ot eight hours a day and also in excess ot 44 hours a week, notwithstanding whether lie had already received overtime for any one day. It did not necessarily mean a man had to work 44 hours on a flat rate before lie received overtime. He did not think the Department would bo justified in incurring an extra expenditure of £250,000 a year out of the public purse, in order to meet the demands of tho Society. He challenged the railwayman to instance any otner workers who lmd an eight-hour day and 44-hour week in operation together. Mr Sterling handed in a return showing that at. though tlie train mileage in relation to the number employed bad decreased since 1914 by 3.16 per cent., wages expenditure bad increased by 80.12. He considered the train mileage was the best indication of the work performed in the various branches of the Department.