ENGINE DRIVING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1431, 4 May 1912, Page 7

ENGINE DRIVING.

INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATES.

A DEPUTATION,

A deputation representing tlio New Zealand Federation of Engine-drivers' Union kid before tho Minister for Labour (the Hon. G. Laurcnson) last evening some requests for amendments to tho Inspection of Machinery Act. Mr. J. Heed was tho chief spokesman, and others present lvere: Messrs. C. Foster, W. Dcnbam, 0. Adams, T. Milligan, G. Purves. Mr. Heed said they desired power for an officer of the Federation to inspect plant in order to see whether tho Act was being carriod out. They also wished to have a representative- on the Board of Ivxaminers and at examinations, 'lho words "effectivo charge" in tho section which states that a certificated man must be in effectivo charge of an engine or boiler, should be, they thought, clearly defined. At present a man who was practically only a greaser was sometimes left in charge. The distance a man could go from his engine or boiler when in chargo should bo defined. A statutory 48 hours week was also desired, engine-drivers getting up steam being-at presont excluded from the benefit of the clause in that behalf in tho Factories Act. Work in excess of 48 hours should be paid extra. They also asked that one fireman should not have to stoke moro than three boilers at a time, nor engineers to attend to more than two engines; that river engiuc-driv'ers working in shifts should hare eTcry other Sunday off; that locomotive engine-drivers should not be required to do other work; that river engine-drivers should be allowed to take charge of first-class engines ashore; and that tho third-class marine certificate should only entitlo the holder to take charge of a third-class stationary engine. Mr. Reed also complained that the examination for the first-class stationary certificate had of late become much more difficult than was necessary. Ho handed tho Minister a copy of some of tho questions. ~ . The Minister: "Well, I admit this is a pretty tough proposition. Is this an examination for an ongine-driver?" Mr. Heed: "That's some of it, and after swotting that sort of stud for years and paying £a for coaching, ho gets Is. an (.iioiir." , Further requests submitted by Mr. Reed were that river engineers should bo allowed to do coastal work. That a man who had been four years a driver should have the right to sit for a second-class marina certificate; that all engines should lie required to have certificated men in charge at all times (including producer gas engines, and engines used in gold dredging and agriculture); that certificates should be reciprocal as between New Zealand and Australiaj that Sunday work should be paid double; that an applicant for a lirst"class stationary or winding certillcato must have been in charge of a secondclass engine and boiler for at least one year; that to qualify for a river engineer, a man must have been a fireman for two years; that there should be national laws instend of local by-laws for motor-car drivers' certificates. ' A member of the deputation complained of alleged victimisiation of workers by their employers for reporting breaches of the Act. He thought tho Act should l>c restricted to engine drivers, as distinguished from engineers. The administration of tho Act seemed rather to favour the latter, though it was originally passed for the former.

Tho Minister said that .as between tho engine-drivers and the marine engineers he was between the upper and nether millstones, but while he was Minister, whether the time was long or sTiort, he would try to do his duty with fairness (o both parties. To have an officer of tho union entering and inspecting works would be all very well if he was a tactful man, but some union secretaries were not, and to have men entering and inspecting tinder the authority of the law,'wliile the Government had no means of keeping them within the bounds of discreet action, was liable to cause friction, and that had been tho experience in other countries. He was afraid tbat : the presence of':a;representative of the nnion nt the examinations, which were partly oral, might cau=e a pood deal of friction. In regard to "effective charge," the Departmental view was that the'present practice of the Department was satisfactory. The request for a weekly day of rest had his full sympathy, and'he would do anything he could in the matter. The examinations, judging from what had been shown him, appeared to be extraordinarily difficult, and j he would have inquiries made on that point. He sympathised strongly with the suggestion that a man who had been four years a driver should be allowed to sit for a marino engineer's certificate. He thought this was the most important point they had raised, as it was highly desirable that every man should have an opportunity of improving his position. As" to motor-car drivers, he was afraid he would make trouble for himself if he sought to interfere with what had all along been regarded as within the province of the local bodies. Ho would go carefully through all the matters placed before him by H<» reputation and would reply fully ia wrltisp. The Minister iinan.v suggested that the question of payment for time beyond the 48 hours' week spent in getting up steam was a matter for the Arbitration Court. Mr. Reed said they had gone to the Court! on this matter again and again, but without result. i The Minister eaiil he presumed they were willing to work tho extra time so that tho other employers could put in tho regular hours, but wanted to bo paid Mr. Reed: Yes, and we mean to get it.