RAILWAYMEN’S PAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18973, 26 March 1924, Page 5

RAILWAYMEN’S PAY

WAGES BOARD INQUIRY. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Marcn 25. The Wages Board inquiry regarding the railwaymen’s pay and conditions resumed to-day-Mr. Connolly, for the A.S.R.S-, alluded to Mr. Sterling’s argument in regard to the cost of living. Mr. Sterling had referred to an agreement reached in 1920 that the reduced hours should be regarded as in full settlement of any claims made by the A.S.R S. for any increase in wages in respect to advance in the cost of living. He maintained that the people behind the Department (au allusion to Parliament) had violated the vital clauses of that agreement, treating it as a scrap of paper. They had broken the agreement by reducing wages a year later by Is 8d a day. Replying to the chairman, Mr Connolly agreed that was done by Act of Parliament, and applied generally. He contended that, nevertheless, it was a breach of the agreement of 1920. He went on to show how the cost of living had increased since 1914. Th Society appreciated what was being don e by the Department to provide hours for the men, but at the present rate of progress it would tak c 45 years to provide for 15,000 men in the service. By that time the number of men in the service might be doubled-

Mr. Mack said they were principally concerned, with th e ba«is wage and whether it was a fair living wage. Mr. Connolly said the Society’s claims were founded upon the basic rate alone, and he objected strongly to the family conditions and penalty rates which were paid for special services being taken into consideration. The minimum rate should be the basis. Turning to th e forty-eight, hour week, Mr Connolly quoted figures to show that, out of 41 trades, callings and industries, seventeen worked forty-four hours per week or under, and only fourteen worked forty-eight or over. In 1914 out of 41 trades or callings, only seven were working forty-four per week.