THE RAILWAY SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume 50, Issue 50, 27 August 1926, Page 8

THE RAILWAY SERVICE

IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS

LIQUOB AND RESTORATION OF

RIGHTS,

Amendments to the Railway Act, introduced in the House of Representatives by the Government this morning, include provision of a penalty for porsons who introduce intoxicating liquor into railway premises, excepting in the ordinary course of transit, or who offer liquor or induce railwaymen to take it while on duty.

In view of the general introduction of warning devices for communication with drivers of trains, a clause was added to the penalty section of the Act providing a fine for interference with such devices.

Another clause empowers the Department to sell the present workshop Bites at Pctoue and Newmarket. i

When questioned on the point, Mr. Coates explained • that the Department could only leaso them, but one and a half millions of capital expenditure was involved in the railway shops programme, and it might be desirable to sell.

The superannuation rights of railway employees who retire from the service to become secretaries of the four railwaymen's organisations are to be retained, and these officers are to be permitted to continue as contributors to the fund.

Another clause empowers the Railway Department to re-engage certain Jncmbors of the staff who retired last 'November to become candidates for Parlia-' mentj' but who wero not elected.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) said lie regretted that payment of those who retired to become political candidates was not to be made retrospective, as a promise had been made that the rneu affected would not lose financially when they were eventually reappointed. He thought the Bill should apply to the future as well as the past.

Tho Prime Minister said he thought it would bo found that the Bill gave full power to the Railway Board.

Mr. Holland exprossed satisfaction with that.

Tho amendments were approved.