THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14052, 25 May 1911, Page 6

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

ARE SPIES EMPLOYED? SECRETARY TO A.S.R.S. INTERVIEWED. Mr M. J. Mack, general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, is at present in Christchurch, and will make a special visit to the Addington, Timaru, and Ihinedin branches. ' ' ..__".. Referring to tho pay-day difficulty at tho Addington workshops, Mr Mnck informed a representative or "Tho Press" that he did not know what method the General Manager intended to adopt, but he thought it would bo an improvement on the present system. It was rather a joke, ho added, to exEect men to sign tho pay-sheet the day efore receiving the money. As to the methods that it is alleged the _repartment adopted to ascertain if guards were carrying out their duties iv connection with the examination and collection of tickets, Mr Mack said that there was absolutely no doubt that a man and a woman had been employed in the matter. Tho society knew tho man's name and whero he resides, and whilst his employment -ivas not denied by the General it was practically admitted by tlie Minister. He* (Mr Mack) did not think that the disclosures made regarding passengers en suburban lines ovor-riding the station for which their tickets were issued showed the necessity for inspection; they showed tho necessity for increasing the staff to cope with the traffic consequent on the out-of-dato appliances and methods in vogue in connection with the examination and collecting of tickets. "If tliere is a necessity for inspection," Mr Mack continued, "why throw tho resoonsibility upon tho guard when ho is unable- to cope with the quantity of work that he is expected to do? Why not send a man to show" tho guard that it can be dono effectively, and that he will be expect* ed to do it? Of course, they are unable to send such a man. In fact, if the work could be done the guards aro anxious and willing to do it. No guard likes the idea that any passenger is Tseating;' him for his fare." One feature of the matter wns that the - Dejwirtment was actually employing two persons to deliberately break its own by-laws by over-riding— an offence which, if it were committed by any member of the public, would lead to prosecution. It ought to bo tho Department's object to safeguard the interests and assist the guards.