THE RAILWAY TROUBLE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14040, 24 April 1920, Page 5

THE RAILWAY TROUBLE.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 23

Explaining the Government's offer to the railwaymen. the Prime Minister savs. bv way of explanation, with regard to the official letter forwarded from the Government to the Railway Societies: —''I mav point out that we commence with a basic wage for ninrrjed men not in any way incapacitated of-. £lB7 16s per annum —that is, 12s per day. To that has to be added payment, at the rate of £ls per annum for married men in terms' of Mr Justice Stringer's recommendation. Tc. this the Government has added a _pnvment of £7 10s Dor annum for singk' men. both proposals taking effects. froT January Ist last. The proposal now is that Mr .Justice Stringer's recommendation should continue until June Ist. instead of being reviewed again in September.' as siurgesterl in the recommendation bv him." Mr Masscv added: In making his reconimendatioii Mr Justice Strintrer took into consideration the increase in the cost of liviusl up to the date the Ronrd commenced its sittings. Although his re port was dated February 2nd. he recommended that it should take effect from January Ist. All the railwaymen have had pay-ments made as from the latter flat.-. The Board which the Government proposes-to set tip will i.il:e into consideration the increasing cost of living from the beginning of this vear tii! June, and will readjust the bonus accordinglv. By whatever the i o-f of living lias increased during the Period mentioned" the men will net the benefit of it. The review of the cost of living and the consequent readjustment of bonus is intended to take p'ace every sis months. It is desirable that I should point out that since March. 101 I. married men in the railway service have received by way of bonus to | compensate for the increased tost of living four pavment* of Is per "day. and that sinpli* men have reteived a like payment for the same purpose. T have already made it perfectly clear that the question of the conditions of work will be considered: but while the Government has no ?er:ous oMeetion ■ to this lieing dealt with by the suggested tribunal, v.-e think it he-t-t.--tliat such matters should be considered as between the representatives of the men and the General Manager. The Government is anxious to do what is right between *he Stnte and those in its employ, and it will continue to actup to this principle. CHRISTCHURCH, April 24.

Replying to the Prime Minister'? statement refpmlini? the Government's offer to the railwaymen. Mr R. Hannvton. National President of the A.S.R.S.. stated that the crux of the whole position was whether the railwaymen were entitled to a standard living equal to pre-war conditions. If it was contended that the country cannot afford, to plnce the men in such a position, it mnst be shown that other sections of the community are making a equal sacrifice to that**expected from the railwaymen. Other industrial sections of the community by direcc negotiation had secured greater increases on prewar rates than those so far obtained by the railwaymen by tfonstitution.il means. Mr Hampton urged that the Government Statistician be brought before an investigating hoard, where he could be examined as to his findings and conclusions; also that an arbitrator be selecttd by negotiation as. provided for in tin- 'lndustrial Disputes Act. The' A.S.R.S. did not want trouble and was desirous of the matter being settled amicably, and without prejudice to the public interest. If the position was re-\;(-,'.-(d impartially he was confident that the possibility of trouble ' would be averted. The matter, however, must he dealt with without further delay.