ADDINGTON WORKSHOPS.

Evening Star, Issue 14003, 9 March 1909, Page 8

ADDINGTON WORKSHOPS.

SCOPE OF THE INQUIRY.

The. following is the order, of <reierenoo forwarded by the Minister of Railways to the Board of Inquiry : The scope of your inquiry will cover the following points :—(1) The efficiency of the plant and appliances; (2) the system of work adopted; (3) the discipline maintained; (4) the cost of production as compared with the cost in other .establishments, whether Government or private; (5) the' output, whether it is reasonable in quantity and quality, having regard to all the circumstances; (6) generally any matter calling for alteration or improvement in the interests of efficiency or discipline. Professor Scott will act as chairman of the Board. Your inquiries will be conducted in public, ana in the course of l them you will make such personal instruction and call euch evidence as you think- fit, but you will not allow solicitors or representatives of any person or class of persons to appear before you without my previous written authority. All members of the Railway Department are enjoined to give you all the information and assistance ;in their power. You will conduct your inquiries in the aforesaid shops and elsewhere as you think fit, and report to me the result with your recommendations and the reafons on which the same aTe based not later than the 31st day of March, 1909. MINISTER AND MEN. The following telegrams parsed yesterday betwen tho Minister and the Aldington employees : Hon. J. A. Millar, Timaru.—The men at Addington met at luncheon to-day, and carried the following resolution, and requested me to convey the. same to you:—"This' meeting of Addington Workshop employees still advert to the request for an outside representative to be allowed to appear before the Commission of Inquiry on their behalf, and in this connection submit the name of Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., as being a raitable, person to represent them, this resolution to be handed to Mr Mack to forward to the Minister."—M. J. Mack. I have already stated that I would only accept a representative of the men, one of the Executive of tho A.S.R.S., or any railway employee. It is needless for me, therefore, to say that I do not consent to Mr Taylor, or any other member of Parliament, or anyone else outside of the A.S.R.S. Union, appearing on behalf of the men at the inquiry. It is an inquiry of practical men into certain statements, and can only be dealt with by practical men. In other wordß, it is an inquiry set up by myself consisting of experts outside of the railway service to advise me in Tegard to certain allegations which have been made. The whole object is to ascertain whether the work is done efficiently and economically in the Addington Workshops, and I think I have offered the men at Addington a wide range of selection, and the whole of the Railway .Service is open to them, including the Executive of their union, who conduct all their business, technical and otherwise. As the men have declined the offer made, and whilst Tegretting their decision, I have nothing further to say than that the inquiry will proceed as appointed.—J. A. Millar. MEN'S "SELFISH ACTION" CRITICISED.

Own" at Christchurch advises that at a meeting of the Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Eiiginecirivors. Firemen, and Cleaners' Association the following resolution was carried :

That this meeting of the Canterbury .Branch of the Engine-drivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association deprecate the selfish action of the Canterbury Branch of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway in endeavoring to cause the Minister of Railways to recognise no other but their society and the Railway Officers Institute, seeing that the En-gine-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association is the leading society, and is recognised all over the English-speaking world. Further, they urge theuluncfi to use every legitimate means of obtaining recognition, and if anv further action is required that it will fae the subject of a vote from all members of the Association. The principle at stake » a fair and just one, and on the same ines as outside unions. Further, that locomotive men's associations are fully recognised in America and all the States JJ~ p om Yl onwe ?lth- In no other instance has there been a refusal to recognise these bodies; therefore any refusal to recognise the New Zealand Association should be placed before all whJ Tt™ by .- the C -° nncil to ««&*£ what further action will be taken.