RAILWAY SERVANTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 26, 25 October 1919, Page 7

RAILWAY SERVANTS

PROTESTS AGAINST AMENDING BILL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, October 23. At a special meeting of the Hillside branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants it was decided: "After consideration of the Railway Bill and the autocratic powers conferred on tho head of tho Department, also the determination to refuse Telief to the lower paid members while making large increases to tho higher paid officials, the branch urges the exccutivo council to take the strongest measures it considers necessary to secure the demands, promising the staunch support of tho Hillside branch. Large increases to highlypaid officials now eligible | for retirement will impose a. tremendous strain on the superannuation fund."

The Otago branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants decided to take strong action regarding the remuneration paid to members of the second division, and to urge tho Government immediately to amend the Superanuation Act, making it mandatory on all members in rcceipt of not less than .£250 a year, and who have completed 10 years' service, to be retired. Tho branch strongly, protested against the proposal to grant large increases to first division officers due to retire, while no provision was niado to increase the wages of tho second division, and demanded the executive to take immediate steps to reopen the whole schedule of tho second division in order to obtain recognition of- the demands Smd elimination of> the autocratic power of the General Manager regarding promotions.

Dannevirke, October 23. The Dannevirke branch of the AjS.R.S. passed'a motion taking strong exception to the Railway Amendment Bill now before Parliament, in that hi»hly-;paid officials were, under it, getting increases which would increase their pensions in some cases by an extra ,£250 per annum, while members of the second division were not 1 getting a living wage, and urging the executive council to use every endeavour to have tho Bill amended. ,

Oamaru, October 211. Tho Oamaru branch of the A.S.R.S. passed resolutions of protest against the Railway Bill in similar terms to those passed by other branches, and supporting the executive in any action to secure a living wage for lower-paid men. Invercargill, October 23.

' A laTge meeting of the Southland branch of tho A.S.R.S. resolved to strongly protest against "the proposed a.ukie.ratic powers conferred on the General Manager, which would conduco to favouritism and practically abolish classification"; also against the high increases made to certain officers on the verge of retirement. It' was unanimously resolved to support the'executive "ii\ any action considered advisable in preventing the iniquitous Bill Incoming law." Hamilton, October 24. The F.rankton branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants passed the following resolution:—"That this branch views with alarm the proposed action of the Government in regard to the Railway Bill in promoting members irrespective of service, on the recommendation of their responsible officers. This will lead to much greater discontent among the rank and filo than at present,'' Timaru, October 23. A largely attended meeting of tho Timaru branch of the Railway Servants Society tonight passed resolutions resembling those passed by the Napier Society protesting against large increases being mado in tho salaries of first; division men, and authorising tho executive to iako any course to .secure an increase in wages of not less than 3s. a day. lii tho event of the demands not being conceded a ballot, was recommended on the strict carrying out of tho Department's rules and regulations on tho methods of working, Auckland, Octoher Zi. The Auckland branch of tho ..Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants passed a. resolution to-night prot.est.ing against the Railways Bill and urging tlie executive to take immediate steps to prevent; it being pawed into law. A resolution was also carried against tho powers given Jo tho General Manager regarding promotion, and urging the exceu. five to seotu'o the deletion of the provision from the Bill, and failing this to take a ballot to determine further action. "omCERS' INSTITUTE SUPPORT •THE BILL. Auckland, October 24. A. record meeting of the Auckland branch of the Railway Officers Institute pa.ssed a resolution supporting the Railways Bill as far as it allected the first division.

There was a full attendance at Messrs. Harcourt and Co/s property miction voatcrday, wliou tovo scciiojis ui HawkcsUmc vjiroot, a factory in tiordon ] lace, and a i'aiu-rooiT.ed house in Jvnijjge •\vonii", off Vivian Street, were ollored. Tho bidding did not reach the reserves, and tho propartics were handed over tor private sale. It is claimed by the best authorities on tho subject that under economical and efficient town-planning methods tho cost of estate development can bo reduced to on-half or one-third of the expenditure incurred by the old method. This subject is a> vitally important at the present moment that a large attendance is expected at tho lecturo on. townplanning to-night under the auspices of Iho Workers' Educational Association. The lecturer, Mr. A. Leigli Hunt, is president of the Greater Wellington 'loivnPlaomug Assoviatioa*