PARLIAMENTARY

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 28, 15 August 1885, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[PBB TOTTED PHBBS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington August 13. QTJESTTONB. Replying to Mr Bradshaw, whether several engine drivers and firemen in the railway service had been transferred without cause, and without any complaint against them, and whether pressure had been used to induce certain of the men to withdraw their names from the petition setting forth their grievances. Mr Richardson said that in 1883 the question of men receiving overtime was raised, and the Government had decided not to alter the regulations, but where men were dissatisfied to transfer them to some district where the trains running did i)h not involve working overtime. Subsequently eight men were transferred to meet the ordinary demands, but their, pay was not reduced. He had no objection to the cases in question "being referred to the Railway Appeal Board in Dunedin. Replying to questions, it was stated that, the question of the opening of Hie Exhibition on Sunday would be referred to the Executive Committee to be dealt with. — Steps would be taken for dealing with native reserves. NOTICE OF QTJBSTIOire. Sir Julius Yogel gave notice to introduce the District Railway Purchasing- BilL Jtv Committee, the discussion on the Hours of Polling Bill was resumed. Mr Gore suggested the adjournment of the debate, in order to allow the honorable gentlemen in charge of the bill, to come to some understanding respecting the schedule. Mr Barron said the bill was the most miserable attempt at legislation lie had ever seen. After some further discussion, a motion to report progress was carried by 37 to 26.