THE RAILWAY SERVANTS CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8542, 24 July 1893, Page 6

THE RAILWAY SERVANTS CONFERENCE.

FURTHER INTERVIEW WITH THE COMMISSIONERS. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) v WELLINGTON, July 22. The Railway Conference assembled at 9 a.m., and considered the reply of the Commissioners to the delegates the previous day. The delegates met the Commissioners again at 10 a.m., the following being the results of the interview: —The Commissioners stated that, in addition to the concessions granted yesterday, they were prepared to concede the striking out of clause 14, that they would agree to a Board of Advice in a modified form, and would print the amended Bill in accordance with the concessions granted by them. The Conference then reassembled, and considered the amendment, seriatim. Respecting the amendment to clause 3, it was agreed to fall in with tbe Commissioner-' suggestion that no alteration was necessary. Clause s—lt \va3 agreed to confirm the amendment proposed by the Conference. Clause 9—lt was agreed that the amendment proposed be confirmed with this addition—"That if it cannot be granted to present employees, such provision should be made for new entrants into the service.

A letter was received from the Commissioners, stating that they had arranged with the Premier to meet a deputation from the Conference at 10.30 on Monday. The delegates will present a petition to the Premier, asking the Government to take charge of the Railway Employees' Insurance Bill this session, also asking the Government to take into consideration the Railway Employees Insurance Bill as proposed by the Railway Commissioners and the various amendments suggested thereto by the Conference.

The Conference resumed at 2 p.m., when consideration of the clauses of the Bill seriatim was continued. Clause 6, section 2 —It was agreed that the amendment be rescinded, and a new clause as proposed by the Commissioners be accepted, viz. —" That any person who in terms of section 3 is a permanent employee, who has his life insured in some approved office for an amount not less than twelve months' salary at his then rate of pay, may be relieved of the appropriation of his contribution to the insurance fund in respect ot the amount to be determined by the authorities having charge of the railways for the time being, and no amount shall be payable at death from the insurance fund on account of such employee." Clause 6, section 3—The proposed amendment was confirmed. Clause 10—The proposed amendment was confirmed, with the addition that if the Government cannot grant it to present employees it be granted to future employees. Clause 11—It was agreed that the proposed amendment be struck out. Clause 12—It was resolved to accept the Commissioners' proposal re the Board of Advice. Clause 19—It was agreed that as the amendment ot this clause will be given effect to by the authorities publishing a return in the annual report, no further action will be necessary. Clause 22—The proposed amendment was confirmed. It was resolved that the amendment re a quinquennial investigation be rescinded, but that the amendment providing for continuing in the funds after leaving the service be confirmed. The Conference adjourned till 9 a.m. on Monday. At the interview between the Commissions and the delegates to-day the Secretary of the Conference made a statement with regard to the assertion that had been made in some quarters that delegates did not represent the employees. He pointed out that the representative from Auckland was a yard foreman, while the delegates from Napier, Hawera, Palmerston North; and Wanganui were s tationmasters. Wellington sent a clerk, a .stationmaster, and a fitter from the Workshops, Christchurch an inspector and carpenter, Timaru a clerk, Oamaru a Dunedin a storeman, a guard, and a night foreman in the Locomotive sheds, and Inveicargill a clerk. Several of the delegates were members of the Railway Union, and one was the secretary of a Branch. All had been elected either at public meetings of employees held in the chief centres of their respective districts or hy Committees elected by such public meetings, with power to do their utmost to advance the insurance proposals. In only three instances, viz., Christchurch, . Dunedin, and Palmerston North, had the latter mode of election been adopted, all the others having been elected at' public meetings, which all employees were invited to attend. Several sections, viz., Greymouth, Westport, Nelson, and Whangarei, were represented by deputy, it being inconvenient for them to send anyone to the Conference. On the delegates arriving in Wellington, it was found that the men at the Petone shops and others employed in Wellington were unrepresented, and a delegate was accordingly elected at a large meeting of employees. The delegates did not pretend to represent those who were entirely opposed to the insurance scheme, but they did claim to represent those . who saw the urgent need for ifc, and they contended that a large majority of the railway men recognised the necessity and were in sympathy with the movement and with the objects of the Conference!; The Secretary pointed out that the hopes of railway men generally from Auckland to,the Bluff were centred on the results of the-Conference, and it was to be regretted that a few opponents to the scheme should endeavour to disparage the efforts, of their fellow employees in a work which should produce great results. He also emphasised the fact that no employee would be compelled to contribute under "the.Bill if it became law.