RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7529, 19 April 1890, Page 6

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' SOCIETY.

MEETING AT LYTTELTON.

A largely-attended meeting of railway employees and wharf laborers of Lyttelton took place in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, last night. The chair was takeu by Mr Hobau, the President of the Canterbury branch of the Society. The Chairman said he was pleased that the wharf laborers had been asked to join in the meetiug. It was the intention some day for the Railway Union to join the Maritime Council, so that all the Unions would be under one head. The reason that the meeting had been called was that there were some old men in the railway employ who were being replaced by otbers, and they were here to enquire into tbe matter to see if there waa*«u}y.grievance at all, and if any to have it redressed. - Tne Secretary read a resolution, which was passed in Christchurch, to the effectthat all that was passed by the meeting at Lyttelton affecting the whole of the branch would not be carried into effect before it had been laid before the Council In Christchurch.

•Several speakers stated that during the temporary absence of Mr Bradley a number of the old permanent hands in Liytcelton were being dismissed, and boys put on in their place, and that a lot of extra work was oeiug saddled on to the other hands. Several instances were quoted, all of which had happened since Mr Bradley, Che Station Master, had been laid up and Mr Cole had been appointed acting Station Master. It was stated that great dissatisfaction existed in JjyCCelCoa since Mr Cole and Mr Ashley had been in power. One speaker suggested boycotting. It was explained thac it was desirable to effect any improvements for the men's benefit, turough means other than going out on strike, as suggested by the speaker. The rules of the bouiety showed that in no case could toe employees go ouc on strike unless three-fourths of the members voted for such action. One member proposed Chat a petition be got up and sent to the Commissioners in Wellington, setting forth che grievance of the meu ac Lyttelton. In seconding Che resolution, stress was laid ou the action of the present Acting Manager in employing so much boy labor. It was shown chat cue men, and all the employees in Lyttelton, were greatly dissatisfied with Mr Cole and Mr Ashley, and they wanted tuem removed. Tne following resolution was proposed and carried unanimously: — " That che President and Secretary be appointed to interview Che Traffic Manager, seating full particulars of Che grievance iv Lyttelton, and requesting him to reinstate those men who have been discharged by the acting stationmaster or Mr Asbley. Failing a satisfactory result, Chat a petition be sent, from Che liytcelton men to Che Commissioners direct, through the Executive Committee, for the removal of the acting stationmaster and Mr' Ashley, and- che reinstatement of the men discharged or disrated." It was further resolved that a Committee be formed to carry into effect Che pare of the resolution relating to che petition, and _lye members were appointed. The Chairman "seated that the deputation of two from the Executive Council, consisting of the Sess&tary and himself, would wait on the t___lc manager with the resolution as passed by che meeting, and the resole would be wired to the delegate at Lyttelton about noon. ■ The Chairman stated chat the Council in Christchurch werfeif treating with the Commissioners in Wellington on several mat ters pertaining tothe welfare of railway employees generally.' The President of t#ft Wharf Laborers' Union said that they ffere holding a meeting on Friday night'__* the purpose of carrying resolution* to support the Railway Union in any steps they may take in the present'difficulty. A voce of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting Co a close.