On Monday night the Government were able to announce that
the railwaymen's leaders had agreed on the interpretation of the official proposals-for a settlement. It is a mouno d as we go to press eel Thursday that the National Union of Railway- men has d eided, at a Conference of delegates, to accept th Government's generous terms. ThdGovernment have certainly tried to adopt as much as possible of the railwaymen's " national programme " based upon a genuine eight-hours day, with higher pay for overtime, night duty, and Sunday duty, and with a week's holiday annually after a year's service. Up to the end of the year no man will receive less pay in standard wages together with war wages than he is now getting, and many men will probably receive more if the various rates of pay in different districts are made uniform. In regard to management, the Government propose a Joint Committee, representing the Railway Executive and the two Unions, to deal with questions of wages and conditions of labour. The proposed Ministry of Ways and Communications will, they say, avail itself fully of the " assist- ance, co-operation, and advice " of the railwaymen and other employees.
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