RAILWAY OFFICERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1922, Page 5

RAILWAY OFFICERS.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The annual conference of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute was resumed to-day, the president (Mr. J. R. Robertson) occupying the chair. A long discussion took place regarding the constitution of the national executive committee, one section of the conference favoring the executive being elected on a territorial basis at a meeting at Wellington periodically, and the other section advocated a local executive at Wellington, similarly to the lines that had been followed during the past year. Eventually the latter proposal was adopted, and the executive committee will now consist of the president, vice-presidents (not exceeding four, and each Island to have at least one representative if more than two are elected), a general treasurer, general sevretary, and seven members residing at or near Wellington and representing different departments in the service. Special provision was also jnade for the control of the executive committee by the executive council in the event of business arising that was important and urgent enough to warrant such action. Hitherto the branches had not been permitted to circularise one another without first obtaining the sanction of the executive committee, and it was decided to cancel this rule and give the branches absolute freedom so far as communicating with one another was concerned. Remits bearing on superannuation were then dealt with, and the following resolutions were agreed to:— That all officers who have completed 40 years’ service, and who are entitled to a superannuation allowance of £3OO per annum or more, be retired. That officers who have completed 35 years’ service be allowed to retire voluntarily on superannuation, without requiring to obtain, as at present, the Minister’s consent. That some definite action be taken by ; the executive committee with regard to • pensions for widows and the superannuaj tion of railway employees. Owing to the large amount of business that has still to be transacted, it was decided to hold evening sittings of the conference, commencing from to-night.