HOW IT IS DONE.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 139, 9 December 1904, Page 5

HOW IT IS DONE.

ORGANISING A MINISTERIAL PRESENTATION. : YOUR MONEY OR ? I | Members of the railway service of the colony have received documents, of which the following are copies. They speak for themselves : — "Officers in charge of pay stations or officers paying wages are requested to kindly place the accompanying subscrip-tion-list and circular before members prior to or when paying the wages for period ending 10th December, and remit to the District Traffic Officer or Imprestco for the district any amounts received, returning list to that officer at the same time. Unanimity of action is essential to ensure tho success of the project. WARD TESTIMONIAL FUND. "To all Members of the Railway Service,—lt is proposed that the members of tho railway service should unite in presenting Sir Joseph Ward with some tangible recognition of his efforts to better their condition, more especially in connection with the passing of tho Gov- l ornment Railways Superannuation Fund Act. It will be apparent to one and all that tho value of tho presentation to the recipient will Ho principally in the fact that it comes as a spontaneous recognition of his efforts to improve the welfare and well-being of the service, and it will be further greatly enhanced by the knowledge that every member of the service throughout the colony has subscribed his mite. With a view to ensuring the hearty co-operation of all members of the service subscriptions have been fixed at a minimum of 6d, and a maximum of 2s 6d, and this, it is felt, will enable every member to subscribe. It is needless to point out the great benefits which have accrued to members of the service,' and their wives and families, by the passing of the Classification Act and the Government Railways Superannuation Fund Act, as members will have before them many instances of the inestimable benefits derived from the Superannuation fund. There is no doubt whatever that the railway service is deeply indebted to Sir Joseph Ward for the passing of these Acts, and it is earnestly hoped that the railway men of the colony, who have on many occasions verbally expressed their appreciation of Sir Joseph's efforts on their behalf, will avail themselves of this opportunity to prove their appreciation and esteem in a practical and tangible manner. "R. W. M'VILLY, Secretary. "Wellington, 3rd December, 1904." Since the foregoing correspondence and our editorial on the subject have been put in type, we have received the following letter, which explains itself. Our readers will, we feel sure, in face of the facts disclosed, agree that in the public interest the request that is made should not be entertained : — "Railway Department, Head Office, "Wellington, 9th December, 1904. "Dear Sir, — I understand that a circular which I recently issued inviting the cooperation of the railway staff in making a presentation to Sir Joseph Ward has been sent to you, presumably for the purpose of being publi.*ned as an item of news. As the -matter has not yet taken 'definite shape, I shall be glad if you will refrain from making any reference to tho movement in the columns of your paper in the meantime, as it may not result in anything practical. Thanking you in anticipation, yours faithfully, "(Signed) R. W. M'VILLY."