MINISTERIAL VETO

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 10 June 1912, Page 4

MINISTERIAL VETO

EXERCISED BY HON. A. M. MYERS. RATLWAYMEN INDIGNANT. Christchurch, Friday. • The Minister of. Railways has exercised his power of veto in the case of William James Cadman, who, at the last sitting of the Railway Appeal Board in Christchurch, appealed against Ms reduction in rank from guard to portejf. The chairman of the board (Mr. Haselden, S.M.), favored the dismissal of th« appeal, but it was sustained by the two other members of the board—the representatives of the first and second divisions. The decision of the Court was forwarded to the Minister, who has now informed Cadman that he is not to be reinstated in his old rank. There is a good deal of indignation felt among local railwaymen at the turn events have taken. The Ministerial right of veto has been the subject of much adverse comment on previous occasions, and effort* have been made to secure its abolition. The men candidly express the opinion that in this case the Minister has been guided entirely by the departmental officer, whose decision the Appeal Board reviewed. The whole question will probably be discussed by the A.S.R.S. at an early date.

Speaking to a Press reporter this evening a railway officer said that there waa a feeling of intense irritation at the exercise of the Tight of veto, especially by a new Minister, who could hardly have mastered the details of the work of his department. The position seemed to make it clear to the men that it waa no use going to the Appeal Board at all. The men only won about one case ia six, and when the veto came into operation after a favorable decision the proapect was- disheartening in the extreme. The men wanted the right of veto abolished, and contended that the decisions ol the board should be given effect to. That course was followed in Victoria and New South Wales, and its adoption in New Zealand would give some satisfaction. It was perfectly useless for the railway divisions to elect their best men to the board if their decisions were to be subject to a Ministerial veto.