RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17776, 9 May 1921, Page 5

RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

SOUTH AUCKLAND OFFICERS. TELEGRAM CAUSES CONCERN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COHBESFONKEST.' HAMILTON, Saturday. At the annual Teunion of the South Auckland branch of the Railway Officers' Institute, held at Frankton last evening, a telegram was received from the general secretary of the institute, Mr. R. G. Morgan, which pointed to portending reductions in staff and salaries among various departments of the service. The telegram, which came as a great surprise to the gathering, referred to an interview between the secretary for the institute and the general manager for railways, Mr. R_ McVilly, which took place last Friday at Wellington. It reads:— "Interview practically abortive. Management very unsympathetic. The special claims of Main Trunk members strongly urged, but -unsuccessful. The principal arguments urged against us were superior privileges compared with the second division, especially as regards sick, annual, and emergency leave j also the division barrier, the reduction in the cost of living, the falling of railway traffic, the slump in the Dominion, and the financial stringency. It is possible there will be a pro rata reduction of salaries and staff throughout the public services." Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., said he did not take the telegram as seriously as it appeared on the face of it. Perhaps it was that the general manager had been misunderstood. The financial situation was certainly clouded, but the resources of this country, material and mental, were, in his opinion, sufficient to carry us out all right in due time. Mr. Young emphasised the point that the economic outlook and revival of the financial situation depended entirely on the prices New Zealand"*was able to realise for its surplus produce exported from the country. The president. Mr. H. Taylor, and Messrs. C. R. Bell (Auckland secretary), C. P. Ryan (Mercer), and A. J. Benz (N.Z., E.F.C.A.), spoke on the situation as it affected the Main Trunk. The demands deal particularly with special rates of pay between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The South Auckland branch extends from Mercer to Waimarino, so that a large number of members are involved. The barrier Between first and second divisions, as referred to in the telegram from the secretary, has to do with the examinations, which a member of the second division has to qualify in before he passes to the first division.