RAILWAYS BILL

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25878, 10 August 1949, Page 8

RAILWAYS BILL

MINOR CHANGES IN LAW ' , CONSOLIDATING MEASURE (New Zealand Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 9. Administrative adjustments of a relatively minor nature are!* 1 made in new clauses in the overnment Railways Bill introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. Otherwise the bill consolidates existing legislation. It was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The' definition of “administrative officer’’ has been amended tc exclude from the jurisdiction of the Government Railways . Industrial Tribunal persons holding a position to which is attached an annual salary in excess of £825 or such other amount as may be prescribed by regulations. The definition of “promotion” has been revised to make it clear that a transfer without any increase in pay does not constitute promotion. A new provision clarifies the de J partment’s.rj^ht.to.enforce demurrage chargee on waggnns detained Mnr an unreasonably, time at destination stations. •

Authority is given for land to be taken for subsidiary services. Level Crossing Provisions

The bill provides that, in the event of a collision at a crossing attended a crossing-keeper, the department will not be liable merely because the crossing-keeper is not on duty. It is also provided that the department will not be liable merely because a warning device has not been provided at a crossing. Provisions dealing with the use of crossings when a train is approaching have been combined and rewritten to make it an offence to cross or attempt to cross a line when there is any risk of collision. It is provided that if-any person drives or attempts to drive across a line while a..y cross-ing-keeper or any warning device is giving warning against so doing there shall be deemed to be a risk of collision At the same time, it is made obligatory for every railway employee, if he has reason to believe that a collision is about to occur, to take all possible steps to prevent it. The bill gives the General Manager of Railways specific authority to hold inquiries into charges or allegations of inefficiency or misconduct by an employee. Classifications Renamed

The names of classifications of railway employees are changed from "first” and "second” divisions to "salaried” and “general” In many cases- employees of the department are eligible for membership in two or-more service organisations. but the Minister of Railways has no power to select between those organisations and direct the payment of fees deducted from the'employee’s salary to any one of the organisations. The bill authorises the Minister in such a case to select the organisation to which the fees shall be paid.

The Minister is' authorised to make appointments which were formerly made by the Governor-General on the recommendations of. the Minister. Fines imposed bn "employees are to be-paid into the sick, benefit fund of the Government Railway Employees’ Sick Benefit Society. A clause confers on male temporary employees a right of appeal against penalties, but the provision will riot apply in respect of dismissal for unsatisfactory work or conduct to any employee with less than two years’ continuous service in the department or to any apprentice, or probationer.