RAILWAY TRIBUNAL

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 55, 2 September 1924, Page 6

RAILWAY TRIBUNAL

It is unfortunate that an unofficial summary, of the Railway Tribunal's report should have been published before the complete and authoritative document. This is not likely to facilitate the ready acceptance and smooth application of the recommendations. The tribunal heard argument and evidence at length, and its conclusions must be treated with alL'resp'ect; but as they appear in the unofficial report I they are conclusions only, unsupported by reasons. We do not doubt that the tribunal has strong arguments to support the recommendations, and it is in the interest of. all concerned that those should be published as soon as possible. There are raihvaymen-who are reasonable arid who will appreciate reason; but it is asking too much that they should be . expected to accept changes without understanding why those changes are considered necessary. This applies particularly to the 48-hour we^ek and the abolition of night rates. As regards the 48----hour week, the ißailway Department itself has stated fully the conditions which led it to press for the reversion; but the argument for abolishing night l'.ates lias not been so fully stated. There is this fact, too, that extra pay for night work iis paid in other industries, and if i the Railway Department is to be . made an exception there must be clear justification. Of course, the I Government is not bound to accept all the recommendations placed be-' fore it by the tribunal, but it will doubtless desire" to do so unless good grounds are stated for a de^ parture. In these circumstances it is desirable that the complete recommendations and report should ! be made known before harm is done I and misconception arises froni the i incomplete and unofficial summary.