RAILWAYMEN'S GRIEVANCES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1739, 2 May 1913, Page 6

RAILWAYMEN'S GRIEVANCES.

THE RECENT CONFERENCE. (By Telegraph.—Prci?s Association.) Dunedin, May 1. The current number of the "Railway Advocate" contains a short account of the proceedings of the conference which toolr place on Monday between the Hon. W. If. Hcrries, Minister for Railways, and the whole of the local members of tho-Executive Committee of the 'First Division of the service. Mr. Young, tho president, asked the Minister if he would place .the railway officers on the same footing as the other branches of the Public Service as regards leave, Sunday duty, payment for overtime, and travelling allowances. Mr. llorrics replied that amended regulations wero in the course of preparation, and that they wtfuld be modelled as far as possible on those recently gazetted under tho Public Service Act. Tho Minister further stated that when the compilation of tho regulations was completed tho exqeutivts of the three railway societies would be given an opportunity of' pointing them, and, if necessary, bo granted a further conference with himself* regarding them. In reply to Mr. Young's question concerning tho schedule of pay to bo provided under tho proposed new Act, the Minister said it would certainly be ail improvement upon tho present schedule, and he would try and have it brought into line with the Public Serviceschedule.

With regard to tho request for a reply in regard to D 3 tags, Mr. Herries informed the deputation that the correspondence on the matter had been rereferred to the responsible officers for 'a report, with instructions to obtain tho opinion of the Crown Law officers. A definite reply -would be furnished as early as possible. Consideration of matters under tho heading of tho reconstitution of the Appcal'Board, delay in hearing appeals, and positions reduced in status, was promised- With reference to tho classification of the certificated officers of the Lake Wakatipu service, Mr. Herries pointed out that tha matter' had been adjusted so far as D 3 for 11)12 was concerned, and tho alteration required 111 the Act finally to settle this long-standing troublo would? bo made this session. The Minister look particular notice of the statements and suggestions for the formation of a board to deal with tho Matter of promotion in the service and staff matters generally, and asked to bo supplied with further details concerning the proposal.