LOCOMOTIVE MEN

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 7

LOCOMOTIVE MEN

MR HERRIES IN REPLY. <PJVES9 ASSOCIATION TKLKBAiO WELLINGTON", January 16. The Hon. W. H. Merries (Minister of Railways), in bis reply to the locomotive men's latest letter, admits not having written officially to the association, but said he had made so many statements in the House and in reply to deputations to the effect that ncs would meet tho societies next montii, that he thought they knew the position. Tho usual custom in dealing ■with matters of wages and working conditions in the railway service was to go into the schedule and como to an agreement if j>ossible. Vs hen th© House met the schedule would go before the Railway Committee or the House, and, if any persons thought they had not been fairly treated in the proposed schedule, they could apply to the committee, and state their case. After tho schedule left tho committee it would come before tho House, and it would be for the House to say whether it was to be adopted or not. Wages were fixed by tho schedule to the Act, and they could not be amended without the sanction of Parliament. He was now writing officially to Mr McArley. ATTITUDE OF NAPIER MEN. (press association telegram.) NAPIEII, January 16. A meeting of the Napier Branch of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, last night, passed the following resolution: "That this branch of the A.S.R.S. strongly supports the Engineers'. Firemen's, and Cleaners' Association in its demands for fair treatment at the hands of the National) Government, and expresses its appreciation of the firm attitude adopted by the grand council of the E.F.C.A., as stated in their communique published in the Press. Wo also ask all branches of the A.S.R.S. to support tho sister society." RAILWAY OFFICERS' INSTITUTE. (rRESS association telegram.) DUNEDIN, January 16. Tho Railway Officers' Institute has considered the question of tho new Classification Act, and the schedule thereto, and proposals, based upon on increased cost of living, will be mado to tho Minister. The conference was strongly of opinion that a staff board, upon which officers of the service should be adequately represented, is a very desirable reform., and this will bo prcssedupon the Department.