D.—2b

3

Claim 46 (A.S.R.S.) : That where gangers and surfaceman are taken off their ordinary lengths to perform special work they be paid travelling-time each way. The departmental advocate intimated that this claim was not objected to. The Board recommends accordingly. Claim 47 (A.S.R.S.): That all gangers be brought within the provisions of Regulation 92. The departmental avocate intimated that this claim was not objected to. The Board recommends accordingly. Claim 53 (A.S.R.S.): That the latter portion of Regulation 41 be given effect to. The departmental advocate stated that the Department gave effect to the regulation. The Board is of the opinion that an employee should be notified at the earliest opportunity of any adverse report, so that he may have time to correct any fault. The Board therefore recommends that the regulation be construed with the utmost liberality. Claim 58 (A.S.R.S.): That the present restrictions governing privilege tickets as applied to members' children be removed. The departmental advocate intimated that the Department was willing to delefie the second sentence of Regulation 154, but that this amendment should not affect Regulation 159. The Board recommends accordingly. Claim 61 (A.S.R.S.) : That where any dispute arises between the Society and the' Railway Department, whether out of the interpretation of any agreement or any other mailer, such dispute shall be referred to an independent tribunal, consisting of equal representation from the Department and our Society, with a chairman to be mutually agreed upon, the decision of such Board to be final until a new agreement is made. This claim, as formulated, embodies the principle of a Whitley Council, with exceedingly wide powers. The report of the sub-committee of the Inter-dopartmental Committee on the application of the Whitley Report to Government Establishments, submitted to the Imperial Parliament in 1919, was to the effect that Whitley Councils in the Civil Service must of necessity be merely consultative and advisory. If given wider functions the Councils would usurp those of the Minister, whose control of the service must remain unimpaired, subject only to ultimate parliamentary control. The Board is accordingly of the opinion that the claim, in its present form, cannot be given effect to. We think, however, that section 9 of the Government Railways Amendment Act, 1921, provides machinery for the setting-up of a Board to inquire into matters on which the regulations are silent, or concerning which there is a difference of opinion regarding the interpretation of the regulations. With one dissentient (Mr. Mason), we recommend the setting-up of a Board from time to time to consider such matters as may be referred to it, and to report thereon to the Minister. Claim 64 (A.S.R.S.): That the practice of paying off casuals at one place and re-engaging them at another be discontinued. This claim is intended to cover the case of casual hands employed on ballast gangs and line gangs who are transferred from place to place without the continuity of their employment being broken. The Board recommends that in such cases these mon bo paid for travelling-time between station and station, provided the amount paid in respect of wages and travelling - time shall not exceed a day's wages for any one day. This recommendation does not imply that the Department is to be restricted in any way in its right to determine a casual employee's engagement, or that any allowance beyond payment of travelling-time is to be paid to any casual employee so transferred. Claim 68 (A.S.R.S.) : That where any large number of men are employed a suitable dining-room be provided. It is understood that the Department is in sympathy with this claim, and is giving effect to it wherever possible. The Board recommends that funds be made available for continuing this work as circumstances permit, more particularly when new buildings are being erected or existing buildings altered. Claim 6 (Department) : That the maximum proportion of apprentices to journeymen in Railway workshops be increased. This is a matter not covered by the regulations. It is unreasonable to fix a uniform proportion of apprentices to journeymen for all trades, and the proportion limited by the awards of the Court of Arbitration differs for the different trades. The Board recommends that instructions be given that the proportion of apprentices to journeymen in each trade shall be so regulated as to ensure a sufficient number of tradesmen being trained for the Department's requirements, without leaving an unabsorbed surplus, but that in no case shall the proportion exceed the maximum fixed by the current trade awards or the current general orders made under the Apprentices Act, 1923, by the Court of Arbitration for the different trades. On the following matters the Board has no specific recommendation to make, though some of them are the subject of brief comment: — Claim 2 (A.S.R.S.): That all members of the Second Division of the Railway Service receive paydockets each pay-day, indicating how their wages have been computed, and details of deductions made. No recommendation.