RAILWAY SERVANTS’ GRIEVANCES.

Evening Star, Issue 12167, 11 April 1904, Page 4

RAILWAY SERVANTS’ GRIEVANCES.

MINISTER AND MEN. MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS. WELLINGTON, April 11. Speaking to-day to a deputation representing tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the Minister of Railways said that, with regard to the statement as to the bulk of employees having been “ jockeyed ” ont of their right to vote for coming under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, it was clearly understood from the first that only the workshops section was to vote, and that this was all that the society wanted. With regard to the withdrawal of first class railway passes for second-division men when an transfer, toe Minister stated that this privilege had been abused in the past, and the department must see that those who paid for first class accommodation got it. With regard to steerage passages for the same men when on transfer, the Minister said he would see to that, which was taken to mean that saloon passages would be restored. Out of a hundred recommendations the deputation specially commend to the Minister the demand for a forty-eight hours’ week and for higher wages for the lower-paid men. Sir Joseph Ward promised to look into these and other demands. Ho denied that the department had for political influence promoted laborers above lad porters, who had worked through the grades. The meeting of the Minister and the employees concluded with mutual good wishes.