RAILWAYMEN’S WAGES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 10429, 6 November 1919, Page 10

RAILWAYMEN’S WAGES

STATEMENT BY PREMIER NEW BOARD I'o REPORT ON WAGES AND CONDITIONS. In the House oi Representatives yesterday morning the Prime Minister and Minister for Railways made his promised statement with regard to the bonus asked for by the men in the Second Division of the railway service. The new Kail way Board which it was intended to set up, to consider wages caul conditions in tho railway service, was, said Mr Massey, to report within three months. ‘the board, its report as to wages, was to take iiuo account tho increase in tho cost of living since March hist last; and, if necessary, an interim report on that particular question would be forwarded io tho Government and considered by Cabinet. This last, added tho Prime Minister, covered the period from tho time when the agreement’ was arrived at 'between 'tho different sections of tho railwavmcn on tho one side and tho Kailway Department and tho Minister for Railways' on the other; and it meant that if there had been an increase in the cost of living since March 31st, that increase would he taken into account in the recommendations made by the board to tho Government. Mr tV. A. Vcitch (Wanganui) said that the position taken up by the ruilwayinen unquestionably was that the rate of wages paid to them to-day was not sufficient to compensate them for the increased cost of living since the beginning of tho war. If, therefore, the report of the board was limited to tho question of the increase since March 31st Inst, it wou'd not meet the requirements of the case. Mr Massey said that the lion, gentleman was quite mistaken. Tho board had been set up to inquire into tho whole question of wages and conditions. But the point had been raised in the House that an increase had taken place since March 31st, and that that was not dealt with in tho agreement arrived a*. The men had agreed, to the present rates up to that date. Mr Yeitch said that the locomotive men, at any rate, had not agreed to it. The .locomotive men were satisfied that a board should bo set up to consider the increased cost of living; but they were not satisfied that the increased wages covered the whole of the increased cost of living during the war period. Mr Massey said that the war bonuses, which were intended to do that, had become salaries; and now the board would consider conditions and wages, with special reference to the increase in the. cost of living sfnee March last, Mr Veitch: Will the Prime Minister submit the order of reference for the board to the 'varidUs'*failwa'ymen’s organisations,' and 'allow tßeiii'to discuss the matter with him'as Minister for Railways before'closing it down. ILf Massey replied that he could not make a definite promise to that effect, but he would consider it. Replying to Mr T. Jf. Wilford (Hutt), Mr Massey said that until the interim report-had been received there could be no increase at all in the men’s wages as now fixed. Air. Wilford : Does the Prime Minister think that fair in view of the treatment of tho First Division? Mr Massey; I believe that the great majority of the railwayman are satisfied that the Government has done thCi right thing. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Replying to the Leader of the Opposition, ho added that, the interim report could,, bo given within a month.