D.—4

3. Piecework. This pernicious system is universally condemned by all classes of workmen, as one which is sure torfeduce the price of labour, has a demoralising effect upon those engaged at it, and must bring the worst side of human nature to the surface. T.he committee do not deem it necessary to go into any further details on this matter, as the effects of piecework are thoroughly comprehended by both employers and employes, but will request you very earnestly to abolish the system at once. As it is of the utmost importance to the employes and most essential to the improvement of their social condition that the foregoing proposals should be carried into effect at as early a date as possible, the Executive Committee trust that you will take the matter into your earnest and favourable consideration at once ; they sincerely trust that you will see your way clear to comply with the request of your servants, the employes of the New Zealand Railways, as conveyed to you through their Executive Committee. Hoping for the favour of an early reply, I have, &c, Charles J. Eae, Treasurer and Acting General Secretary pro torn. The Hon. the Commissioners of Eailways, New Zealand.

No. 2. The Eailway Commissioners to the Amalgamated Society of Eailway Servants. New Zealand Government Railways, Sir,— Head Office, Wellington, 2nd April, 1890. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter to the Eailway Commissioners, dated 29th March, 1890, communicating resolutions of conference of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, and am directed to inform you that the subject thereof will receive consideration. I have, &c, Mr. C. J. Eae, Hereford Street, Christchurch. E. G. Pilcheb, Secretary.

No. 3. The Eailway Commissioned to the Amalgamated Society of Eailway Servants. Bib,— 21st April, 1890. With reference to your letter of the 29th ultimo, representing certain matters to the Eailway Commissioners on behalf of the railway employes, the receipt of which was acknowledged on the 2nd instant, I am now directed to inform you, in reply, that the employes have the right to represent their views and grievances to the Commissioners, either individually or collectively, under proper conditions, at present. The Commissioners infer from your letter that the employes, or some of them, have formed a society for the purpose of making known their views generally to the Commissioners, and the Commissioners think it may be found that there is no objection to such a course. At present, however, they have no information as to who constitute the society. The views of the Commissioners are as follows : They have no objection to oiler to the organization of the society upon proper lines, and are prepared to facilitate the movement under certain conditions. Such a society should be formed exclusively of railway employes. It should be open for all employes to join or withdraw from under reasonable regulations. It should not interfere with the privileges of individual employes, or prevent them from addressing the Commissioners about their individual interests, as is now provided. Before the Commissioners could undertake to treat with the society or recognise it, particulars of the purposes of the society and of its regulations should be supplied, and full information should be given to indicate the extent, strength, and organization of the society, and to show that the Executive Committee has reasonable powers to act on behalf of the members collectively. The Commissioners are prepared to facilitate the meeting of the representative members of the employes in Wellington by passes and leave, to enable them to discuss these suggestions, and, should the employes be disposed to fall in with these views, the Commissioners will then be prepared to consider such general representations as their Executive Committee may make. I have, &c, E. G. Pilcher, Secretary. The Acting General Secretary, Amalgamated Society of Eailway Servants, Hereford Street, Christchurch.

No. 4. The Amalgamated Society of Eailway Servants to the Railway Commissioners. Amalgamated Society of Eailway Servants of New Zealand, Gentlemen, — Central Office, Christchurch, 28th April, 1890. Under instructions from the Executive Committee, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated the 21st instant, E. 90/1021, No. 1,573. Eeplying to the paragraphs of your letter. seriatim, I am instructed most respectfully to say that the conditions under which individual employes have at present to approach the Commissioners is not considered satisfactory.

2