RAILWAY SERVANTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16642, 14 March 1916, Page 7

RAILWAY SERVANTS

DEMAND F.OR HIGHER WAGES,

THE GOVERNMENT'S REPLY,

(Peb United Pbess Assooxatiok.) WELLINGTON, March 13. In regard to the recent deputation from tho A.S.R.S. and the request made for increased wages, a reply has been, sent by tho Prime Minister to Mr R. Hampton (president of tho A.S.R.S.) and to tho president of tho Locomotive Engine-drivers and Firemen's Association. »In this Mr Massey says ' tho proposal was fully and thoroughly discussed by a full meeting of Cabinet, but, being a very much larger question than it appeared at first sight, it was found impossible to arrive at a definite decision before the end of the current month. The proposal, if agreed to, meant the payment from the Treasury of a very largo sum of money, possibly involving increased taxation, and Ministers came to tlio conclusion that in justice to the people of tho dominion the wholo financial position should be, as far as possible, definitely ascertained before further liabilities jwero incurred. In the event of an increase being agreed to by Cabinet, such payment would commence from tho now financial year —namely, April 1. . The Cabinet was unanimous in regard to tho decision which has been so fax arrived at, and which is herein conveyed for the information of tho society. A Cabinet meeting will be held as soon as the financial position ' of the dominion is ascertained. Meanwhile the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, and the Hon. W. H. Herries will be glad to receive any further representations should the society desire to make them."

At a large and representative meeting of tho Dunedin branch of the Enginedrivers' Firemen's, and Cleaners' Association tho following motion was carried: — "That this board strongly supports its executive council in tho request for an increase of Is per day as a war bonus owing to the increased cost of living, increased responsibilities through speeding up, long, continuous, and irregular hours, and frivolous correspondence we have to answer in our own time. We will take any reasonable stop they should desire to obtain this increase."