RAILWAY OFFICERS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1924, Page 3

RAILWAY OFFICERS

KKKOISMS SOI'CHT

WKI.I.INOTf'.V, .lur.i* i”. Ai tin* conference <»t the 'tiiiln iv O.Ticors I u-lit ut<• on Sntur!av. it was decided in request 11 it* Demi Lmciit that all instruction hooks be wised ami consoliilatctl. anil that any inicmlini'iit lie su|>|)lic<l in sli|i form, snitalilc lor placing in its relative position in tlie book to wliit-ii it apples , ,n» issue of a new tariff was anal her matter which, it was claimed, demanded immediate attention. the Mate ill tile existin'; tariff being described as "a disgrace which no commercial concern would tolerate for a moment.’’ An I nvereargil! remit was passed that clerks who have to deal with the time payment ot the locomotive accond division men, owing to the dillienltios and complications that are eonstantlv increasing with the activities of the K.l\ and (. A., he Riven a higher status. At the request of the Wellington Hranch. it was decided to urge that all inenihers he given an opportunity of qualifying in such special work as the Department discerned essential to, lit them for ailniinstrative posts. It was agreed that members promoted from the second divi-mm alter j passing an examination test, should receive an increase in pay of not loss than C’-’O a year. The following remits f-om the Wellington H ranch. were carried unanimously : “That this conference has no confidence in the system of promotion which provides for special merit, in that, in theory, it sounds right, hut that in practice, it has proved to he a failure wherever tried, and has caused incessant and unnecessary turmoil and unrest in the Service. “That this Conference again takes strong exception to the departure from the principle of the Classification Act i„ the making of promotions by such subterfuges as -Ordor-inCortncil’ or by ‘Oovemor-C.eneral, 5 to a higher grade in the Service.” A remit from the Executive Committee was endorsed, that it be represented to the Department that efficient and recommended members in grade 7, the lowest grade for clerks.

should not be held at the mnxitmm of that grade after the completion ol IT year’s service, hut should then proceed to the next grade.

The Conference concluded on Saturday, n social being held in the evening presided over hy McVilly (General Manager).

In the- course of his remarks, Mr Robertson, (President of the Institute) stated that for three and n half years as President, he had always received every courtesy at the hands of .Mr McVilly. When able to grant requests he had done so. When unable, he had always given his reasons. The members of the Institute could co-operate with the General-Manager without sacrificing their principles in any way. lie was one they should assist. Mr McVilly stated that after 15 years in the Service, he could say that, having regard to the policy under which they were run, and the special circumstances created—he did not make them—the railways performed useful service in spite* of mismanagement. In the North Island, where the principal railway business was, they liad a chance to run things, and had paid CO 10s Cd per cent. In the South fsland. with level roads, much farm country and sparse population, they paid C2 2s fid per cent. The South had been a burden, to them, and the Department, was •not responsible for the policy deciding whore linos should bo laid down. If at the end of the year things were had, it was said to ho mismanagement, lie had received valuable support, mentioning Messrs Sterling, Buxton and Bovin. What ho had done they could do.

Air McVilly hinted that it would not be long lielore lie would be rotiiing. Mr Sterling said that from the manager down, they were all th 4 ’ management staff.