RAILWAY OFFICERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22165, 19 July 1935, Page 13

RAILWAY OFFICERS

SALARY CUTS DISCUSSED FULL RESTORATION DESIRED Nothing less than full restoration of. salary cuts will satisfy the members of the New Zealand Railway Officers' Institute. This was made clear in the annual report presented to the conference of the institute in Wellington. The conference was opened by the general manager of railways, Mr. G. H. Mackley, who expressed pleasure that portion of the cuts had been restored, and said he hoped that improved finances would ultimately allow of further restorations. Referring to superannuation, the report for the year stated:—"No further action has been taken by the Government in connection with legislative amendments to the Superannuation Act. It is satisfactory to note that the Minister of Finance has expressed the opinion that there should be no alteration to the Act, without the consent of both parties to the contract, and this opinion must be accepted as satisfactory as far as it goes. The question still requires close watching, however, and the committee is determined to resist to the utmost any attacks that infringe the rights of members. "As the result of efforts by the combined Public Service organisations a 5 per cent increase in salaries was granted from April 1, 1934. While this partial restoration of pre-depression salaries was appreciated by members and afforded a measure of relief, it is recognised that members generally are suffering very acute financial difficulties. The committee lias, during the year, actively associated itself with the combined Public Service organisations in efforts to obtain further relief, and is confident that these efforts will meet with success at an early date. Nothing short of the full restoration of the cuts made will, in the opinion of the executive committee, meet the position.' 1 '