RAILWAY SERVANTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 888, 6 August 1910, Page 4

RAILWAY SERVANTS.

AMALGAMATION PROPOSALS.

Interesting developments in connection with the dispute between the Society of Railway Servants and the proposed Locomotive Association have taken place. The Executive Council of the A.S.E.S., at prosent sitting at Wellington, have, it is reported, had the position under consideration, and have decided to - make a special effort to conciliate in thfi hope that the other side will see fit to accept a reasonable compromise. The new society, it is stated, claims that it can do better for its members if allowed to form a sectional,union apart from and independent of the parent union. On the other hand the leaders of the A.S.R.S. claim that ' division ireans sub-division to follow, and that the whole of the members must be solidly combined in order to provide a reasonable defence for their men.

In order to meet the expressed wishes of the Locomotive Association the A.S.R.S. has taken a ballot of its members to decide whether the system of direct Departmental representation should bo instituted. This has resulted in an overwhelming majority in favour of the proposal. The present executive was elected to hold offioe till February, 1912, but in order to permit of the new system being put into operation at once they have decided to resign their offices and call a special conference in a few months.

It is hoped that this will be accepted by the members of the locomotive department as an olive branch held out'to them by the other branches of the service.