RAILWAYMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 202, 23 February 1912, Page 5

RAILWAYMEN.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. "STRIKE THE ONLY WEAPON." By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last ight. The annual conference of delegates from the Locomotive Engine-drivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association was continued to-day, when further resolutions were arrived at. A motion was agreed to unanimously protesting against the heavy punishments inflicted upon loco. men. ; The principle of conciliation, for deal-' ing with grievances was affirmed, and it was decided to ask that a board should be set up,:consisting of two members representing the association, two representing the Department, with' one of the Conciliation Commissioners as chairman.

It was stated, during the debate that it was no wonder that outside unions were discarding the Industrial Conciliation and Arbirtation Act, as the Government advised' their own employees to> have nothing to do with the Act. This meant that a strike was the only weapon of defence for railway employees. It was generally agreed that some means ought to be provided to decide disputes with the Department when other resources failed. The arbitration- system at present in vogue was strongly condemned by all delegates.

It was decided to ask that the Superannuation Act be amended so thkt the Government shall pat compensation for death, irrespective of benefits under the Superannuation Act. It was stated that as the emploveos themselves subscribed for the benefits trader the Superannuation Act, the Government should insure its employees in the same way that outside employers do. It was decided to ask for long service, holidays, on the same lines as that in vogue in most of the Australian States. It was resolved that when a Depart-mental-inquiry is being held "a representative of the association should be present. It was further resolved that all acci-' dents on the railways be inquired into by an impartial board of trade, on similar lines to the British Board of Trade. It was decided to ask that overtime rates be paid for all time worked between 10| p.m. and 6 a.m.; that time and a, quarter should be paid men after doing 14 houfs' work, and that double time be paid for work done over 14 hours on Sundays. ~.'■' It was decided that 10 hours should be the minimum time , a man should be hooked off for rest between days of long hours. ■ ' ■