RAILWAY SERVANTS GRIEVANCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 644, 22 October 1909, Page 6

RAILWAY SERVANTS GRIEVANCE.

•"■"■ . : "'■. "■■ ■'■"'■ - J . We would direct the attention of members of Parliament to a matter of supreme importance to the omployees of tha Government railway service. It has been very properly recognised that with' the very largo number of persons employed on the State railways, and scattered: as they are all over tho country, some safeguard is" necessary to' prevent injustice being done to individuals in: the service by their superipra.'This injustice may bo intentional or it may arise out of a'mistaken interpretation of rules and regulations. To ensure fair .play for.all, Adpeal Boards wero created—ono for' tn:V North and another for tho South Island —to which railway employees who might feel that they had been unfairly treated could appeal for redress. Each • board consists of three .members—two being members of the railway service and third'and President being a Stipendiary Magistrate. . The decisions of the Boards are arrived at'after hearing .the , evidence called by the appellant and by the representative of tne'department concerned. It would be thought that after a P, ro-perly-conducted and , exhaustive _ inquiry an appellant who, was successful in securing a unanimous "verdict-from the Board would hayo his wrongs redressed by the Minister in charge' of the , railways. Unfortunately this, is. not'always the case. The Minister has the jpower to'.veto ■decisions of the Appeal Bdards, and freely exorcißcs this powor,' with the result that on occasions intense dissatisfaction , has been caused throughout ithe.service. Our reason for'again directing attention to this matter is the fact that-.MR._ Milmii has again this month asserted'his powor of veto in the case of an unfortunate clerfc who appealed-, successfully. _ against': his scale increase of salary" Doing withheld. The evidence showed that it was admitted that the clerk in question, Mr. M: P. Keakin, had carried out his duties.in a satisfactory manner,; and that no complaint could bo madei against himi . The only reason put; forward as to' .why., thii increase which was' duo was not granted was that Mr. Kearin's health was indifferent.. that on.occasidnß, according to the evidence,'tho. hoiira.of.. work somptimes ranged from 6a.m. to 10 p.m., it'iS perhaps hardly surprising' that his health should be indifforent; but it was stated that this, particular .officer's'work never suffered through his statdof health. Tho Appeal Board, after, full inquiry,- uphold the appeal in favour of the increase being granted according to scale. • And the' Minister quietly 'vetoed ,:.it. y-What earthly use the Appeal Board is "under such circumstances it isi.diffieultvto-.undoi-standv Why and trouble: , in car.rying out these investigations at all? If.t. the.'Appeal Boards i aro to be at more preiencn, and;.an Minister can oye'rrido ..M)cir : 'unanimous'^decisiorisi.. justas ho'pleases,' appeals might 'juEfc as wellbe made direct'to the Minister, and timo and money saved. Either that or Parliament should Beo that justice is dono tho railway service, and the (decisions of the Appeal Boards made binding on the Min-