THE RAILWAY BOARD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16034, 27 January 1920, Page 6

THE RAILWAY BOARD.

EVIDENCE AT WELLINGTON,

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 26. Mr R. • Hampton, advocate for the railway servants, said it would be preferable for servants if the cost of living problem could be dealt with and kept at a satisfactory level rather than have to make continual demands for increases in wages. There had been no’ permanent change since 1902. There had been some periodical increases in the shape of bonuses. There was a demand for a review of wages and conditions in 1914, but at the outbreak of war the Society had practically waived its claim for the time. So far as the basic wages of the men were concerned, the present minimum wage was £3 12s 6d a week, with the sovereign worth 12s 9M in the purchase of food. This made the railwaymeu’s money equal to =£2 6s, as opposed to £2 14s before the war. He contended that it was not fair to pursue a policy of low fares and freights with a view of developing the country at the expense of the staff. Mr Justice Stringer said the Arbitration Court invariably held that if an industry couldn't pay a living wage it ought not to exist. Likewise, he considered the railway workers were entitled to fair and reasonable remuneration, and the fact that it was going to cost a lot of money was beside the question . Mr Hampton said the men’s demands provided, in the case of guards, for a maximum wage of 17s 6d a day and a minimum of 16s; the same rates to shunters; and for tradesmen (boilermakers and the like) 17s and 16s . respectively. With the few exceptions he had mentioned, the increases practically involved 2s 6d extra all round. Mr Hampton said the men were leaving the service, and he contended it was absurd for the Department to let men with years of service leave and then advertise for inexperienced hands to take their places. That hit at the whole efficiency of the railways. Mr Hampton added that it appeared that the proceedings would be protracted, and he therefore asked that the Board immediately report to the Government. Ho continued: “If some thing is not done very quickly we will have grave difficulty in assisting the Government to preserve peace in this country. It will assist us to keep peace, and might also prevent many men from resigning, and thus help to keep up the efficiency of the service.”

His Honor said he doubted whether he could make an interim report, but he could make a recommendation that the increases granted bo made retrospective ■ Mr Hampton; But that won’t keep the men back who leave the service in the meantime.

His Honor said if the other questions took some time in getting settled, and he could see a way to make an interim report oa the one question of wages, he would do so.

After discussion as to the status of the Department’s representative, the Board adjourned.