LABOUR MATTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19847, 16 January 1920, Page 3

LABOUR MATTERS.

EFfJTSSH RAILWAY DISPUTE

POSITION CONSIDERED HOPEFUL

"v 1 .elcrrarih—press Association—Copyright A. and N.Z. Cabin Afaoc r.ticn and Reuter. LONDON. January U, Although the position us regards the railway dispute is indefinite, tho ucl.i‘»'*;r:nuent of the discussion upon the Government's reply is regarded us a hopeful sign. The delegates participated in an cxtremely lively four-hour debate without coining to any decision. Some delegates declared that mere modification-, ol detail and the removal of certain anomalies would not meet the demands cl tno branches, and that only the tiereminent'.s acceptance of tin- principle ol standardisation. basou on the highest wages plus war bonus, ami the (lovemmciuV. abandonment of a .sliding scale would justify the delegates voting for Lie suggested settlement. .Meanwhile, the official organ of the railwayman partially lifts the veil from last, week's proceedings. 'I he organ publishes an official report of the union’s meeting, showing only one item of the Oovoiummu's offer was accepted, namely the standardisation of railway work by the elimination of a large number of grade-. Tiie meeting resolved to demand standardised wages, based on the highest rate nt wages plus war wage, in each grade concerned, and rejected tlio principle of a sliding scale based on the cost of living, beeniifc the cost of living was not the only factor on which wage? should he fixed, and would tend to stereotype tho present standard of comfort and prevent any improvements being obtained, irrespective of how the productive forces of society might improve.

The meeting also demanded that a large number of railwayman who were excluded from Hie proposals should ho included, and also that any rottloment should bo applicable to the Irish railwayman.

Them decisions wore communicated to Sir Kric Gcddos (Minister of Tram sport), who wrote observing that tho delegates had overthrown the whole, of three months’ negotiations and had reverted fo their original demands, which the. Government had decided it could not concede.

A later message says:—The meeting of the railwaymen with Sir Eric Goddes this afternoon lasted two and a half hours. The proceedings were most friendly, and a frank discussion took place. Sir Eric, Gocldes stated that the Government was prepared to make substantial concessions, hut was not willing to yield on the general principle. Ho said that the Cabinet was anxious that the railwaymen should give the new scheme a fair trial.

Mr J. H. Thomas thanked Sir Eric Geddes for carefully considering via men's objections to the Government’s proposals. Ho said that the matter would he fully submitted to a meeting of delegates this evening, and Hie National Enion of Railwaymen would subsequently reply to tho Government’s new offer.

Sir Eric Gocldm emphasised that tho Cabinet was anxious to roach a settlement acceptable in' all partiesMr Thomas, replying, said that the National Union iff Hail war men would do all that it could to help towards that end. " 7