LOCOMOTIVE MEN'S CONFERENCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 43, 20 February 1914, Page 2

LOCOMOTIVE MEN'S CONFERENCE

REORGANISATION SCHEME REJECTED. CHRISTCHURCII, 19th February. The conference of the New Zealand Locomotive Engine Drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association resumed _ today. The conference sat in committee discussing proposed alterations to the constitution, including proposals to alter the manner in which the executive is appointed and the removal of headquarters from Christchurch to Wellington. In course of discussion, the president (Mr. G. Kennedy) reviewed the results of the operation of the present constitution, and put the matter of tie proposed reorganisation fairly before the conference, in a non-committal way. He urged delegates to decide the question on it 3 merits, and not by any opinions which he expressed. He added that he did not intend to record his vote, but he was against reorganisation on the lines of the Wellington remit. On a division the reorganisation scheme was thrown out by 4 votes to 6. The division list was : — For reorganisation : W. Wiles, J. Pepperill, E. J. Craies, and J. Denz. Against : E. Henderson, H. Brown, A. Rowe, R. Walker, J. Henderson, and G. Lee. On the result being announced the delegates generally expressed satisfaction with the attitude taken up by the president on the subject, and those who had voted for reoiganisation pledged themselves to support the present constitution. The Grand Council intends taking into consideration the question of placing the general secretary's position on a. permanent basis, the idea being that the secretary should devote his services entirely to the association.