RAILWAY MEN'S GRIEVANCES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 324, 25 February 1910, Page 2

RAILWAY MEN'S GRIEVANCES

Among the many interesting discussions that occurred at the conference of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in Wellington last week, there are two at least which are deserving of some recognition (says the Wellington Post). One was concerned with the anomalies existing in Cue system of punishment by iines; and in connection with this phase, the conferenoe, while not proving that such punishment is unreasonable or illogical, appears to bring out a point which might, with beneficial results, be brought under the notice of the Minister for Railways and his administrative officers. The conference suggests that the system of punishment by marks might be substituted for the present system, and advances as a reason for the change that the punishment by marks system will give members of the service an opportunity to earn commendation by their good conduct and increased efficiency —an opportunity which, it is said, does not bow exist. It is a suggestion worthy of consideration. Another question raised was the lack of encouragement given by the Department to the men whose inventive faculties could be used for the. benefit of themselves and the service. Plans of inventions, it was stated, were very tardily dealt with, and valuable suggestions had received very offhand notice. If this be true —we have not yet heard the Department's side of the argument —it is a matter for regret. America affords a striking example of opportunities given employees to put into working use their inventive faculties. Bonuses and premiums are provided iai the huge machine and locomotive workshops of the United States as rewards and' incentives to the employee to us<e his brains in the direction of suggestions or ideas which will effect a saving of time and labor. There is no sentiment about this. Time, with the average American manufacturer, is the first indispensable essential, and he looks' upon the • encouragement of his workers in the line of invention purely as a business proposition, and the results of this system are too well known to need recapitulation.