RAILWAY SERVANTS' SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1985, 16 February 1914, Page 3

RAILWAY SERVANTS' SOCIETY.

'NEW REGULATIONS DISCUSSED,

A conference ,pF the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants was held on Saturday. The delegates, who came, from nearly'erery branch' of the society, held an informal conference throughout tire day. Mr. W. J. Wilson, of Palnverston North, the president of tho society, welcomed them. ■ He dealt with certain poliey matters that ■ had occupied tho attention of the Executive Council during the year, making special mention of tho strike. He declared that had he to go through that, trying period again his. ■policy would not alter, as ■ he 'did not boliovo in- direct action. He was sure that tho proper remedy'for grievances was through the- ballot-box. He expressed his high appreciation of .the loyalty shown b,y members of this society in backing ilp the'executive, during tho strike. Ho handed over to the trustees the title deeds of.'the. new building, showing tliat the building was opened i'reu of debt.

Mr. 51. J. Mack, general secret-airy, discussed the increasing cost of living,. and , , like the president, he urged the political refticdy as. the only one- likely Ito sneceed. Tho next forward move* ! mont ho hoped to see' tha society niako ! was the establishment of a convalescent' home men.'- . Mr. 0. E> Wheeler, editor of- tho "Eaihvny fteview,'' also joined in tho welcome.. . : ■ ■..' . • ' i ■ Presentations were made to Mr. J. H. Wlutburn of Newmarket, and .Nil , . H. Ryan, of Wellington; a trustee of the fi(;ciety,in recognition of services rendered in the -mbvewent which li»d made possible the erection of- tho new bitild* ing. Mr. Whjtburh vtas presented with a silver tea service-;, aiid Mr. Ryan ft-ith a geld pencil case arid councillor's badge.' ' ! ' The new Hailway -B-egnlaTOiis were discussed, and although it was eonsidefed that many Hnpravenients iiad boon made in service ■■ conditions, ' semo very ofciectionable features remained, notably in wjard'to sick pay and lodging; allos'ances,- As tho Eseni-' tivo Council intends, to urakft, represents- 1 tiofts to the. Departinenty Mid cbnfc'renco did not pass any -resoltjtigjt.'- '" ' ■ Motions wefe ''sdiipted' as follow: — "That branch funds'should; "bo liniited to a . oe.rtain ■ amount,.-' and that, the balance bo settt to heaSquttrters for investment ; t:hat;ini-provc'd hoiises be provided for railwayman', jifsteiices'of inade-' quato and dwellings ,'.being given to tho cosfefenee; that the amal-gamated-Society as .-a-whole take into consideration' the question of reducing the cost of'living." 'The discussion on this motion radicated a'desire that cooperative stores should be started by railvvayinen. ■in various centres, ■