The long-drawn-out negotiations between the Government and the railwaymen on
the question of standard rates of pay have at last reached a settlement. The original proposal of the Railway Executive Committee for a rate of 7s. 6d. to 12s. a day for drivers and motormen, other grades pro rata, was refused by the men's Unions as quite inadequate, and a counter-proposal was made for 12e. to 16s. a day. At the Conference on Monday Sir Auckland Geddes stated that the Government could not agree to so great an advance on " the present enhanced wage," but made a fresh offer of I Is. to 14s. for drivers, 8s. to 10s. for firemen, and 4s. to 7s. for cleaners. Eventually it was agreed to make the rate for drivers from 12s. to 15s., for firemen from 9s. 6d. to 1 le. inclusive of all war wages, and for cleaners front 4s. to 7s. exclusive of war wages. This offer was ultimately recommended by the men's representatives to their Executives for acceptance. At the conclusion of the Conference Mr. J. H. Thomas acknowledged that the Government proposals, though not conceding all that the men were entitled to, were a "genuine attempt to meet the situation."
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