THE LOCO. MEN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 7, 13 February 1914, Page 10

THE LOCO. MEN.

CONFERENCE SITTING TO-DAY. The Loco. Men's Association continues its conference, sitting in the Trades Hall, and is getting through its business in good style. The conference yesterday reviewed the work of the Executive Council, and passed an appreciative resolution in connection therewith. The Grand Council recommended that the grounds of appeal in cases of punishment should be made more accessible to members, so as to permit of' closer investigation in the matter o£ fines. It also recommended that the designation of members approaching promotion should be more clearly derined in the D 3 list. The conference resolved to request that the dimensions of railway houses as supplied to certain members of Division 11. should be enlarged to reasonable and habitable dimensions. At this morning's sitting the conference reviewed the unsatisfactory computation of standing time. Standing time is the three hours allowance given men when sent to a terminal or subterminal station, to there, await until the hour when the engine is further, required. It was stated that for. • a time there had been a tendency to infringe on the allowance, so as to exclude payment for certain work, which was indispensable to the safe running of the engines. Where no authorised person is in charge it is necessary, and is held so by the Department, that the. engine crew must stand by their engine, and it is asked that the men be paid for the full period for which they are required by the Department. The question of full political and civil rights was discussed, and further representations will be made, to remove existing barriers, precluding members from taking part in the political life of the Dominion. It was decided to hear * a lecturer front the Social Democratic Party on the platform of that party at 4.30 on Monday. Visiting delegates will be entertained at dinner on Tuesday by the Executive Council, and on Wednesday afternoon the delegates will be taken for a tram run to Cashmere Hills and New Brighton.