A GRIEVANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 222, 18 September 1919, Page 7

A GRIEVANCE.

THE RAILWAY SERVICE. BLOCKING OF PROMOTION. Considerable interest is being manifested by the railway employees of both first and second divisions in the petition forwarded to Parliament dealing with' the blocking of promotion in the service by the non-retirement of officials who have attained the age of 60 years, who have 40 years' service, and who are eligible to retire on an allowance of £250 per year or over. On behalf of the railway employees, Mr. M. J. Mack, the general secretary of the A.S.R.S., contends that the present system is Hocking promotion, stifling ambition, and defeating the objects for which the superannuation fund was established, and prevents younger men with merit and ability from securing the advancement which they deserve. The petition is at present before Parliament, and early action is anticipated. It is said that some interesting evidence is available and will be placed before the Government as soon as "the opportunity presents itself.

The members of the first division — which is not amalgamated with the Society of Railway Servants—are also taking keen interest in the progress of the petition. They are members of the Railway Officers' Institute, which is an organisation quite separate from the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, but it is held by some members of the second division that the principle is as important in its application to one division as it is to the other.