OUR RAILWAYS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 19 November 1927, Page 3

OUR RAILWAYS

AMENDMENT OF THE ACT PROVISIONS OF THE BILL. SYSTEM OF PROMOTIONS. (Special to “Tribune.”) Parliament Buildings, Nov. 19. If an amendment of the Government Railways Act, introduced into the House of Representatives becomes law this session, efficiency and not necessarily seniority/ will count for promotion in the railways service. The bill provides that every person appointed to a position in the department to which is attached an annual salary in excess of £765, shall be appointed by the Governor-General. Every other appointment to the department shall be made by the Minister. Authority is given for the transfer of officers of other departments to the Railways Department and positions may also be filled by the transfers of persons already in the department. Where promotions are made in the first division, applications may be called for the filling of the vacancies. In making promotions in either the first or second divisions, efficiency is to be the determining factor, but seniority shall count where two or more appjlicants are of equal efficiency. The relative efficiency of two or more members shall be determined by reference to their special qualifications and aptitude for the discharge of the higher duties together with merit, diligence, and good conduct. APPEAL BOARDS. Provision for appeal is contained in the bill. Pending the result of appeals appointments filled by transfer shall be provisional. On or before April Ist, 1929, and at five-year intervals thereafter, all positions in the first division are to be regraded. The Appeal Board is to be composed of a chairman appointed by the GovernorGeneral fc. the three-year term, a person appointed by the Minister for three years, a member to be elected by the first division and four persons representing the workshops, locomotive, running traffic, and maintenance branches, respectively. The first division Appeal Board member shall not act where second division appeals are involved, nor shall second division members hear first division appeals. Notice of intention to appeal must be 'given within 14 days. The decision of the Appeal Board shall be final. Any person attempting to influence a member of the Appeal Board may be fined £5O and immediately dismissed. Secretaries of the various railway organisations may, on termination of their period of engagement, be reappointed permanently to the railway department at their formr salaries and service, as general secretary shall count for superannuation purposes.

By arsangement with the State Advances Office members of the railway service may buy houses built by the department.