A RAILWAY APPEAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10281, 16 May 1919, Page 5

A RAILWAY APPEAL

MINISTER USES HIS POWER OK VETO.

In connection with the appeal of A. N. Longton, booking clerk, Lanibton, against the Railway Department's decision retarding his-fpromotion, on tho ground that/he laciked a sense of discipline, and whom, it will be remembered, the Railway Appeal Board decided in favour of at a recent sitting, it is now reported that the Minisiter for Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries) has used his power of veto,' and has reversed the decision of the board. The result has caused a stir in railway circles. -It, is said that the reason given for his decision by the Minister is, in effect, that it is necessary to maintain discipline in the service. The decision came all the more as a surprise, as the Appeal Board decided unanimously in favour of the appellant.

It is stated that this is the first occasion that a unanimous decision of the board has been vetoed since the late Hon. J. A. Millar was Minister for Railways. It is regarded as certain that the Railway Officers' Institute and the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants will take action in the matter, as an important principle is involved, and already a petition to Parliament is being mentioned. Amongst railwayman it is recalled that in similar circumstances the late Mr H. Bishop, S.M.,_ who was at the time president of ' the Railway Appeal Board, informed the Minister 'for Railways that he would resign his position if the Minister persevered in his action in vetoing the board's decisions.