THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1908, Page 3

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS TO THE PREMIER. An address from the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants wns presented to the Prime Minister, Sir J. G. Ward, last evening. Tho addresswas as follows : — "The Right Hon. Sir Josrph Ward, K.C.M.G.. Minister for Railways and Premier of New Zealand. "Dear Sir, — The members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway/ Servants of New Zealand respectfully bsg to convey to you their high appieciation of the inauy and valued concessions which you have secured for the railway servants during the period in which you have been Ministerial head of the department. "By resolution of our society it has been resolved to present to you thin address with appreciation of your successful efforts in establishing the Government Railways Supeiannualion Fund ; raising the standard of wages ; the introduction of the 48 hour week for the staff, and the many other concessions which the servants now enjoy. . "Th? repeated expansion of the service during the past few years has imposed upon us more arduous duties and responsibilities ; but it has been to us a matter of great congratulation in feeling that you have ever extended to tha staff a kindly and considerate feeling which has been deeply appreciated. "We also desire to congratulate you upon your accession to tho Premiersnip of New Zealand, and trust that you may bo spared many yoais in which to continue your good work ' in tlia interests of the dominion and its people." Her? follow tho signatures of the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, 1206-08, viz., James Walker (president), J. A,. Dimctad (vice-president), O. Skinner (treasurer), W. J. Edwards (general secretary), M. Lee, J. Hislop, F. Wilson, G. O. Loughlin, H. S. Roscoe, H. Heighten, W. Bird, and J. Ahem, councillors. Below again are the following signatures of the delegates to tho 1906 conference: — J. Mack, E. J. O'Kcens, D. Dwyar, W. A. Veitch, M. Lee, J. Whitman, J. G-ruiey, D. G. Smith, John Dawson, Edward Cameron, C. E. J. H. Cameron, n. Wilson, M. Thomas, E. J. Patterson, James Ahem, J. M'Nab. The address, which' is bound in red morocco, is illustrated v/ith views of New Zealand scenery. ' In the absence of. the president 0/ the society (Mr. J. Walker), the address was presented, by Mr. J. A. Dimond, vice-piesident. He said that on behalf of those who had at various times made lepreaentations to Sir VVard on <i ail way matteis, they desired to say how grateful they wero for the courtesy at all times iliown to them; and for the consideration given to their requests. J Messrs. Edwards, Lee, and Ahem added words of appreciation of the great benefits bestowed on the railway servants by the Prims Minister. Mr. Skinner thanked Sir Joseph Ward for having included the Manawatu Railway Company's employees in the superannuation scheme. Sir Joseph Ward, in thanking the society for its handsome gift, said ho was glad to have been ablo to assist in bringing tin eight hours day into operation for the railway employee.' He iully re cogniied that Wheio men woiked haid and yave faithful service, they should not be cilled upon to work longer than eight hours, and when asked to work beyond tluit time they should receive fair recognition of their services. He had always recompiled the value of the Amalgamated Society. It was very much better for the service as ;<, whole that, instead of lelying upon outside pressure they should have v well-accredited executive attached to tho society, which could make their leprssentatioiis in the proper way. It had to be remember that when such alterations v. ere uuds as, had taken place in the classification last session the matter was by no means an easy one. There were a thousand and one requirements in a country bueh as this, where money was needed for development in every direction, and the Government of the diy naturally found considerable difficulty in meeting the necessities of al! However anxious a Minister in charge of a deparluirnt might be in his desire to make a lcrwaid move, he veiy often found his own hand stayed by the general need') of t.he country. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants wab a bod; of great usefulness, and this it had been proved on mere than one occasion, both to the management of tho railways and to the Government. The executive of that body hud been instrumental in bringing about various refoims. He acknowledged the kindly sentiments which had been expressed, and was exceedingly ob'.iged to those present as well as to those, though absent, who had joined in the good wishes contained in the address. He also desired to thank the Tepieaentative of the Manawdtu Railway Company's employees for their cooperation. He was confident that none but good feelings existed between the employees of the State and Manawatu Company's employees. When the Manawatu railway was acquired by the Government he felt justified in saying that i t -n ould be a good thing for the Manawatu employees as well as for the district through which the lino ran. In the interests of the country it was desirable that the whole of the transport facilities should be controlled by the State. Once the merging took place, naturally there would be no distinction between the employees. He again thanked them for their handsome icitimoniul, and concluded by expressing the- hope that the good feeling now existing amongst the railway employees throughout the countTy for the welfare of an' important department would long- continue.

Ths New Zealand Shipma-stois' Federation Ins written to the Auckland H.u Ibom Board suppoiting tho suggestion made, at last meeting that a patent slip bf provided for the port of Auckland for the use of shipbuildurh.