RAILWAYIN’S WAGES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16723, 26 April 1920, Page 7

RAILWAYIN’S WAGES.

STATEMENT BY MEN’S LEADER. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 24. Replying to the Prime Minister’s statement regarding the Government’s oiler to tho nuiwayinen, Mr. R. Hampton, national president of the A.S.R.S., stated that tho crux of the whole position was whether tho raihvaymen were entitled to a standard of living wage ccxual to tho pre-war conditions. If it was contended tho country cannot alford to place the men in such a, position, it must be shown that other sections of the community are making an equal sacrifice to that expected from tho raihvaymen. Other industrial sections of the community, by direct negotiations, secured greater increases on the pre-war rates than those so far obtained by the raihvaymen by' constitutional means. Mr. Hamilton urged that the Government Statistician should be brought before the investigating board, when he could be examined as to its findings and conclusions, also that an arbitrator should bo selected by negotiation as provided for in tho Industrial Disputes Act. The A.S.U.S. did not want trouble, and was desirous of the matter being settled amicably and without prejudice to tho public interest. If tho position was reviewed impartially ho was confident the possibility of trouble would be averted. The matter, however, must be dealt with without further delay. VIEW OF ADDINGTON MEN. CHRISTCHURCH, April 24. At a stop-work mooting the Addington branch of tho A.S.R.S. passed tho following resolution: “Tin's stop-work meeting strongly objects to tho proposal for a further commission to investigate wages and conditions on the linos suggested in the Prime Minister’s communication to the general 'secretary'. Wo support the action of the executive in filing a dispute for hearing under the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act, and failing that- course being agreed upon one week, urge upon tho executive to give effect to the strike ballot recently taken. If the executive are not prepared to give effect to this ballot they are called upon to resign.”