THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3865, 10 April 1928, Page 24

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

ENGINE DRIVERS AND FIREMEN. MINISTER REFUSES INCREASED WAGES. WELLINGTON, April 3. Representatives of the Engine Drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Association interviewed the Minister of Railways (Mr J. G. Coates) with a view to an all-round increase in the hourly rates of pay. The Minister refused to agree, and furthermore, it is understood, he took up the attitude that the employees in the locomotive branch were well paid when compared with the rates in other callings. What further step shall be taken in pressing the men’s claims is now engaging the grand council of the E.F.C.A. TEXT OF MINISTER’S REPLY. WELLINGTON, April 4. A full report of the recent negotiations between the E.F.C.A. and the Minister of Railways (Mr J. G. Coates) in reference to the association’s request for an increase in pay published in the New Zealand Locomotive Engineers’ Journal shows that the estimated cost of the increases asked for was about £32,000. In replying to the deputation, the Minister said they could not give increases at present unless they could see what they were going to get in return. Wage comparisons between Australia and NewZealand had been worked out on several occasions, and the rates here did not compare very unfavourably with those in the Commonwealth. Immediately the increases asked for were granted the railway tradesmen would immediately make the same demands. The position was that the department had to examine every penny piece. “We are not riding on the top of a wave,” he said. “We are fighting for our very existence, not only from the point of view of the railways; but it applies to the position generally. Our whole national system of finance is undergoing a very severe strain, and that, no doubt, makes one very cautious; and my colleagues, I feel sure, think the same way. We already have under consideration many schemes which involve we do not know what sum exactly—probably £500,000 —in order to find work for men who at the present time are unable to obtain work. In addition to that we have commitments to local bodies and cooperation on the part of our community is necessary to meet what is a very serious position. You, I am certain, are acquainted with all the facts. I cannot get this out of my mind: That, so far as the railwaymen are concerned, there is only one point of view they take, and it is, What do we get out of it? Therefore. I ask you to take the very widest view of the position.”