RAILWAY SERVANTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2393, 24 February 1915, Page 3

RAILWAY SERVANTS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROGRESS OP THE ORGANISATION The conference of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants continued its deliberations yesterday. Mr. W. T. Wilson (Palmerston North) presiding. The delegates are:—Mr. P. Gaines (vice-president), Messrs. J. Cornish, A. Whisker, D. Wilson, and J. Robertson, Locomotive Department; Messrs. P. J; Barry. M. Lee, C. A. Davis; Traffic Department ; Messrs. L. Gerahty, S. Foley, E. J. Dash, J. Saunders, Maintenance Department; Messrs. J. H. Whitburn, R. Moore, R. Hampton, and, J. S. Barnett, Workshops Department. ' Yesterday some important questions on the lengthy order paper were reached, including that of the forty-eight hour week. A long and interesting discussion ensued, indicating that the forty-eight hour week, though accepted as a principle in outside employment, was definitely refused by the Minister of Railways in a. recent, interview.l It was pointed out that large numbers of railwaymen are working from sixty to seventy-two' hours per week without being 1 adequately compensated. All tablet porters on the North Island Main Trunk line working 'over sixty hours weekly have, as a result of the society's representations, been granted one day oft per fortnight to compensate for the long hours worked, but this does not materially reduce' the extent of the grievance. The conference was unanimous that the forty-eight hour week should prevail in every department of the service. Mr. Meredith Atkinson, M.A., _of the Workers' Educational Association, addressed the delegates on the objects of that organisation, and was assured of the sympathy of the A.5.R..8. with the movement; also that every effort will be made to further it among railwaymen.

Satisfactory Reports, • Reports were presented to the conference by the general secretary (Mr. M. J. Mack) and editor of the society's journal (Mr. C. E. Wheeler) showing the progress made since last meeting of the conference. Mr. Mack's statement showed that each successive year since he took office he had had tho pleasure of reporting a. record and this is no exception to the rule. The society's assets had almost doubled themselves in the last six rears, and increased by £2454 12s. 9d.. since the beginning of 1912, or just prior to the last conference. Contributions to headquarters from the branches amounted la.st year to the recotd total of £3070 18s. 4d., and.the advertising receipts from , the "Railway Review"- afso exceeded past records. .

The membership has increased from 5943 at the date of last conference, 1912, to 8247 at September 30 _ last, which oh tho whole must be considered very satisfactory, being, ah increase of 2304. Tbe figures for the various years are 1911 .-. 6943 . 1012 6917 1913 ..... 8109 : 1914 8247 During the past year tho organisation, continued the report, has erected its : own offices free of debt. .. in this undertaking the branches were appealed to and responded handsomely. . ' ■' Wages generally have been increased; increased leave secured, both for those in the service, leaving the service, and those retiring on superannuation; privilege tickets secured for superannuated members and widows superannuation. also for casuals under certain conditions. A very large amount of medical expenses have boen recovered and compassionate allowances gained for members and their relatives; also many personal grievances remedied by personal representation. The "Railway Review." The editor's report pointed out that the society, in wuinbersnip and equipment stands better to-day thau at un.y other period. Some moderate snare or that success might be lairiy attributed'to the iniluence of the "Railway jLtevtew'-' in demonstrating to all. railwaynien the succoss of tile society s efforts to improve their, conditions, its policy of encouraging railwaynieu to take an interest in tneir own ali'airs, and the constant eifort to keep branch workers in touch with each otner, and with the president, general secretary, and executive council, so that" all may work in harmony for the common, good. In addition to acting as the medium of publicity for our own trade union activities, continued the report, the "Review" has been utilised as far _as space permitted, for matters affecting the workers generally. Special prominence has boen given to the cost of living, an interesting inquiry into the problem as it affects our own members having been conducted through the "llailway Review." The Gash Purchase Association movement has been fostered in every possible way, as it provides a means of | getting the best value for the limited wage of the worker, a wage constantly, encroached upon by rising prices of commodities. There has been a constant demand for the publication of more matter of this description, and we have every sympathy with the desire of our members to • discuss these wider problems of unionism. Branch meetings will be more attractive and the "Review" more interesting if the questions considered' are not limited to grievances of the service. It is quite evident to us all that the way to increased comfort does wholly in tho direction of a rise ill wages; unless other' difficulties are settled at the same time, the benefit of a new wage schedule is largely illusory. The auditor's report and certified balance-sheet .showed that the society's assets, including cash on deposit, amount to nearly, £7000.