LOCOMOTIVE MEN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1987, 18 February 1914, Page 4

LOCOMOTIVE MEN.

(By !M«r«nl».- J -J?ri(a« AisoeidtiMs.l Ohristqhlirch, February J7. Tho annual conference of the Now Zealand Locowotivvi ISngine-drivbiti , , Fire-. mciij anil Cleaners , Association resumed' to-day. ■' , i Matters connected with, tho alteraiicin. of the Constitution, of the Association ] wero considered, but a reorganisation, scheme was not reached, • • . It was decided to advocate that there should bo a minimum of 9 hours per day for drivers and firemen en shunting engines, it beiltg held that this class of work is <if.. an arduous character. The idea is that the eighfe hours day should be eenfbmned. to as closely as possible. It was stated that, on main line work, engine-drivers and, firemen were called upon, to work 14 and 15 hours, getting time off next-day, -awl that those engaged on shunting engines werked 10 hours. There- is ho rule .pjrohibitilig drivers' and firemen working beyond nino.hours per (jay and tho dt* cision arrived at is to endeavour to limit tho Bowrs ef work in one. (lay to niite. It was decided to recommend tltat, when a* member is charged with an offence, ho shall be allowed to peruse all reports, statements, and recomnienda* tions bearing on his case; also that lie shall be alkwed' to cross-examine all who haro made verbal statements, and k> , given the opportunity to reply to all written statements and reports bofore anything is- determined iii. relation to the offence .wherewith he is -. charged. Under present conditions, it was stated, a member conee'riied is not able to reply or to combat many allegations uiftdo aiiainst him. It was held that the right of final reply to all statements ivm} reports should he' giyiin to tijo .icflushd won.. It was generally supposed by the conference that confidential reports itgurtj kifgnly in the present methods. 'it was decided to make overtures to tho Department to iiicsvase tiip pav for work done on Sundays, a"iid to bring into lino tho pay for work done on .(<ood Friday and Christmas Day as is done in industries outride tho .railways'.. It was resolved to .risk that, a j<te-o-i>\otivj» uioinberNif the Socoikl Divisiofi rboulrl be Appointed on the Risart! in view of the fact that no ennsidefation is mernbers who s.pponl aeainst dccisioMs .involving fines under £2 in which' eases, it was allege, tiie etatwuwite of superior oScere ara taken withgut $ueitlo&t ■ ■ . i