LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE-DRIVERS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 198, 19 February 1912, Page 5

LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE-DRIVERS

THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The third annual conference of the New Zealand Locomotive Engine Drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association concluded its sitting on Saturday. The following report has been supplied by Mr. W. McArley, general secretary:— Resolutions were carried asking the Government to pay locomotive men the same wages as are paid in Australia. It was pointed out during the discussion that cleaners' wages had' not increased in the minimum since the time of the commissioners. A great amount of feeling was expressed in regard to the wages paid to drivers and firemen, and it was pointed out that their wages had been increased only by 6d over the rates paid during the period the railways were controlled'by the Commissioners. At the same time, it. was generally conceded that some of the conditions had been improved, whilst otkers had been curtailed. Allowances of standing time, and preparing engines and putting them away had been decreased since the time of the Commissioners.

It was contended that a genuine grievance existed in regard to the treatment meted out to New Zealand loco, men as compared with Australian loco, men, despite statements to the contrary. It was resolved that steps be taken to bring tlvp grievances of engine drivers, firemen and cleaners prominently before Parliament and the public if the' Government of the day will not recognise the claims of the association for equitable treatment. The conference expressed the opinion that the present Minister of Railways had done all in his power to ensure the better treatment of loco, men. It was further resolved the management to allow the men to come to some agreement with the management regarding wages and conditions of labor in the same way as is done by outside unions and employers, any agreement arrived at to be binding on both parties. THE DELEGATES ENTERTAINED.

The delegates to the conference were entertained ,at a social gathering on Saturday night by members of the Canterbury branch of the association. Mr. G. Brown, ex-president, stated that the membership was now between thirteen and fifteen hundred, a growth, in three years, which was something to be proud of. In Australia engine drivers' wages had recently been increased to 16s, which, compared with 13s 6d paid in New Zealand, showed the New Zealand loco, men to be badly treated. He hoped the New Zealand Association would be able to secure for drivers the same rates as were ruling in Australia. There would be probably a change of Government. They did' not know what that would mean, but hoped it would not mean a set back to loco. men. He wanted to see railway men advance, and didn't see why they should not. During the 'evening representatives of the Officers' Institute and Amalgamated Society spoke, congratulating the association on the success attained. The speakers on behalf of the association advocated separate unions in the railway service, and a federation of all these, and this met with the approval of the representatives of other branches of the service present.

Mr. S. Kennedy, president of the association, on behalf of the members of all its branches throughout the Dominion, presented Mr. Geo. Brown with a gold watch and a necklet for Mrs. Brown, and also presented Mr. W. McA'rley, general secretary of the association, with a gold watch and travelling bag, and a set of and mirror for Mrs. McArley. In making the presentations, Mr. Kennedy said that subscriptions had been spontaneously given from one end of the Dominion to the other in recognition of the valuable services rendered by Messrs. Brown and McArley in the formation of the association.