FREE RAILWAY PASSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 5

FREE RAILWAY PASSES

REFORM IN QUEENSLAND ASTONISHING SYSTEM TO END ' The Queensland Alinister of Railways, Mr_ Morgan, announced lately that some littie sacrifice must be made by railway employees in order that they might enjoy continuity of employment. A spirit of co-operation was evident among the employees of the department since the advent of the new Alinistry, and it augured well for the development of efficiency. Mr Morgan added that among the concessions granted to railway employees were what were known as "emergency passes,” which had been instituted by the late commissioner, Mr Evans, in 1915. It was decided that these passes should be issued in cases of' illness, sickness in family or 1 business of an urgent nature. No restriction was placed on the number issued to any employee, and this had led to indiscriminate use of the passes., When the concession was first granted it was intended to meet necessitous circumstances, but it had developed into a farce. To-day employees desirous of travelling by rail explored every avenue to obtain a pass. The number of passes issued had grown from a few to a total of approximately 7752, valued at £11,090, if based upon ordinary railway fares. In view of all these circumstances it had been decided to cancel the concession of emergency passes from July. Air Morgan mentioned that approximately 70,000 passes a year were issued to railway employees under various headings. A total of 881 passes, representing £IOOO at ordinary rates, was issued to officers of various railway unions during the last year to enable them to transact union business. These passes woqld either be abolished or considerablv curtailed.