DISAFFECTION IN RAILWAY SERVICE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17065, 18 August 1917, Page 9

DISAFFECTION IN RAILWAY SERVICE.

REPORTED RESIGNATION OF

GUARDS

TROUBLE OVER MEALS

(From our Travelling Reporter.)

For several days past I have heard ominous rumours about disaffection in the railway service, and though it is well known that shunters are leaving as quickly as tney can get other satisfactory employment, there is apparently more trouble amongst the men of higher service. Tn view of what I had heard, I made inquiries, and ascertained that there is a goid. deal of feeling existing among the guards on the expresses, in consequence of the new system of dining on the trunk lines. According to my information, the guards have been informed that if they ■wish to get their meals at the new dining rooms, which are now superseding the dining-cars, they will have to pay the same rate (25.) as the ordinary traveller. The matter. I am informed, was brought before Mr. Hiley, who replied that the guards would have to carry their meals with them, or pay at the dming-rooms if they used them. This, the men claim, is a great injustice. Some of them are away from home for 48 hours, and they axe debarred from having, hot meals unless they go to the refreshment rooms, and pay up as "millionaires." No extra money is heing paid to them on this account, and one of my informants ended up his remarks as follows : "Cuss the railway. I wish I had never gone into it; nor would I have done had 1 known that the lower-paid men were going to be kept down in order that ihe service might pay big salaries to managers, assistant managers, and ficores of other officials, who are acting as checks ono upon the other."

It appears certain that unless the works run smoothly the New Zealand railways are going to lose a number of splendid men, who are a credit to the service.