Railway Wages
The. National Wages Board for railways met on Monday to consider the claim of the companies for a reduction of wages and for changes in working conditions. The reduction of wages ranges, according to the ., companies, from 3s. to 6s. a week, but the men say that some. workers would lose 15s. a week. The companies also demand the cancellation of the guaranteed day and week. Altogether the companies estimate that they would save £9.500,000. It is impossible to go into the arguments here, but it is at least certain that the revenue of the railways has fallen, that it seems likely to go on falling; and that freight and passenger rates cannot be raised without injuring the community. On the other hand, the Unions argue that there are opportunities for economy in other directions than wages. The task of the Chairman, Sir Harold Morris, will be very difficult.
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