THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19124, 19 March 1924, Page 8

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

QUESTION OF INCREASED WAGES. (Fbom Oh.h Own Cobbespondfvt 1 WELLINGTON, March 18. It. is now pretty generally understood that nothing definite has been arranged as the result of the negotiations between the Minister of Railways (the Hon. J. G Coates) and the representatives of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants with respect to the claims for increases in wages and improved working conditions. As already stated, there was a possibility of the granting of an increase if the railway servants accepted a 48-hour week, but it is understood that they turned down this proposal. Though at one stage of the proceedings the position was believed to be acute, it is understood that an easier feeling now prevails, largely as the result of a proposal to refer the matter to a wages board as asked for by the society. Tile executive of the society previously decided that Messrs M. Connolly (president). M. J, M'Connor (executive councillor), and M. J. Mack (general secretary) should be Its representatives on the wages board, which should be presided over by an independent chairman mutually agreed upon. The Government, no doubt, would appoint an equal number of representatives. The difficulty will no doubt come with the question of who is to hold the balance of power on such a committee, or, in other words, who will be chairman.