THE RAILWAYS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3007, 19 February 1917, Page 6

THE RAILWAYS

WAR PROBLEMS

WILL TRAIN SERVICES BE

REDUCED

MILITARY. APPEALS

More was heard at the Third Wellington Military Service Board on Saturday of the possible shortening of New Zealand train services in order to release railway men for the war. The Railway Department had appeals lodged for the following:— Wm.' Thomas Overend, turner, Aldington ; James Rennie, porter, Christchurch; Aubrey Joscelin, casual electric linesman; Robort Wm'. David M'Coskery, surfaceman, Timaru; ! Wm. Newlands, porter, Christchurch; Thos. Gallagher, electric linesman, Wellington. Mr. J. Bevin. Strict Traffic Manager, appeared for the Railway Department, and sought leave for .the men until May 1. The military representative (Capt. Baldwin) said some of the nten had already had leave till February 7. He asked if they wore now in camp. Mr. Beviri said they were not. Captain. Baldwin: Supposing, no exemption is granted these -men, will that make any substantial difference in the running of your railways? Mr. Bevin: I am not prepared to say that.. . Baldwin: You say one of these men is only a casual electric linesman? ; Mr. Bevin: He is a man with ten years' service. Electric linesmen are very difficult to set. The work is technical. Captain Baldwin: Does ho get less pay as a casual than as a permanent? Mr. Bevin: He gets the same. Captain Baldwin: Does he 'get superannuation? i Mr. Bevin:. No: I don't think he does. ' ' Mr. M. J. Mack, (a member of th© board): Have you consulted the men as to whether'they want to go into camp ? • Mr. Bevin: jThev enlisted. Mr. Mack: Well, you can't keep them out if they want to go in! ' Captain Baldwin: The Military Service Board can't make them work if thev don't want to. Mr. Mack: Supposing a man enlisted, and you would not lot him go, and he resigned—you could not stop him. Mr. Bevin: No. Mr. Mack: The only object a man has "in asking for leave is so that his position ' will be safeguarded. Mr. Bevin: We only ask for leave till May, until the position of the Railways is reviewed. The chairman: You say you are down to bedrock,..and yon can't spare this man. . . ' ' Mr. Bevin: That is our position. Mr.' Mack raised the question of "utilising to their fullest capacity" men who had been reduced in the service because of indiscretion. Mr. Bevin did not seem !to altogether favour this idea. ' ' Mr. Mack: Supposing there was a railway strike to-morrow, you would he glad to use this class of man who has committed' indiscretion ? Mr. Bevin: We are using some of them now. ' Mr. Mack (dramatically)! Now, this is a strike against the nation. Should you not use the whole of these men to 'their fullest capacity? The cases were adjourned till May lv when they will be restored along with other railway cases, "by which time," said the chairman, "the polio of the Government as' to the reduction of train services will be. before the board.".