RAILWAY WAGES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10536, 12 March 1920, Page 4

RAILWAY WAGES

BELOW PRE-WAR VALUE CREAUER’S REVIEW CRITICISED BY A.S.K.S. SECRETARY. WILE SELL PRIVILEGES AT THE MINISTER’S VALUATION,

Air M. J. Mack (general secretary to 'he Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants) interviewed by a “Times” representative yesterday, with reference to Mr -Massey’s review of the position in regard to wages and conditions in the railway service, said it appeared to him- that it was a laboured and belated attempt on the part of Mr Massey to show the public what the Government had done for the railwayman. “I say ‘belated,'” stated Mr Mach, “because the proper place for such a statement was before the Wages Inquiry Board, where it could, have been replied to. But it would appear that the Railway Department did not consider it worth while, or even necessary; and was satisfied to leave the matter in the hands of the judge. There is, however (added Air Mach), another side to the -Minister's statement which will be dealt with later, in the meantime, the Minister lor Railways might tell the public if the railwaymen’s wages have been increased commensurately with the rise in the cost of living since tho outbreak of find war, and not merely since March, 1919, which is the period taken into consideration by Air Justice Stringer in making his report.”

“As an illustration/’ continued Mr -Mack, “take the position of a firstgrade guard. At the outbreak of the war he was receiving 11s 6d per day, or £3 9s a week. Mr Justice Stringer, in his report, says that the purchasing power of the sovereign must ho maintained. Now, everyone knows that tho purchasing power of the sovereign to-day in comparison ' with pre-war times is not more than 10s. Consequently, a man. earning £3 ’9s before the war should now be getting £5 3s 6d, whereas he actually receives £4 7s only, being a loss of 16s 6d a week as compared with pre-war conditions, liven with the proposed shilling bonus, he wijl still be. left with a debit balance of 10s 6d per week. “IMAGINARY PRIVILEGES.” “So far as ‘privileges' are concerned,’' declared Mr Mack, '‘the Minister’s statement is more imaginary than real, and I am prepared, on of the men, to accept in" cash for each man, the Prime Minister’s estimate of their value, that , is £2s' per annum, and forgo the much-vaunted privileges, including the trip to Rotorua. The Minister says the whole matter of wages and conditions was left, entirely in the hands of the judge. The judge says he was restricted by the order of reference. 'lhe men say that loyal service and peaceful negotiations are regarded by those in authority as a sign of weakness, and some other action is therefore necessary. Hence all the trouble.” ■