N. Z. RAILWAYS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 October 1926, Page 3

N. Z. RAILWAYS

TRADESMEN’S CONFERENCE. (Special to “Star.”) WELLINGTON, October 20. The annual conference of the Railway Tradesmen’s Association, which has been sdting for the past eight days in conference, has now terminated. Tiie delegates met and discussed with the Railway Board several important matters concerning working conditions of the service. The interview was marked by a conciliatory spirit adopted by both sides, which accepted recognition of the claims put forward as reasonable. Various matters are being considered by members of the Board, and official replies will be forwarded when the deliberations are completed. The Acting Minister of Railways (Mr. Rolleston) expressed a wish for the co-oreration throughout the service which is essential to a huge concern like the railways, an assurance being given that the men will respond in accordance with the spirit offered by the management. During the course of the conference matters relating to the workshops were discussed at considerable length, and the following decisions arrived at: — (1; Shon committees shall not deal with wages policy matters ; (2) the functions of shop committees shall be confined to matters of local interest in their respective shops ; (3) for the purpose of election of shop committees the staff of each shop shall be divided in two section —(a) tradesmen employed in the shop, and (b) all others employed in the shop. Each section to be allotted representatives in proportion to their numbers. The introduction of apprentice instructors at the workshops was viewed in a favourable manner by the conference, which looked upon the move as progressive and a great improvement on past methods for instructing the lads. The four main shops are the only ones which cater for this direction at the present time, but an extension scheme is anticipated before long. Discussing wages, it was stated that the small increase last Mav was a recognition by the De-

partment that the pay of skilled men was not sufficient, but the increase was not considered sufficient. The c after was brought before the Minister during a deputation, but not pressed. It was recognised that it was not possible to obtain an alteration till the end of the financial year. It is confidently expected that tradesmen’s wages will be increased. As a result of the conference deliberations, it is expetced that casuals will be placed on I lie same footing in all matters where promotion is not involved. An important change in the management of the Tradesmen’s Association was adopted by\the Conference, providing that a Dominion executive replace the local executives, who have up to the present been the controlling body during the periods between conferences. This change has been brought about in response to requests for wider representation. The annual conference will be replaced by a biennial conference. PASSENGER TRAFFIC

(Special to “Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, October 20. Under normal conditions, passenger traffic on the railways owing to competition from motor cars, shows a slight comparative rate decrease which keeps fairly steady. It is to check that tendency and if possible recover lost ground, that the Department is directing its energies. Figures for the five weeks covering September slightly overlapping into October, are encouraging, there being an increase in Canterbury of 2891 passengers over the corresponding period last year, the total carried being 136,506 compared with 133,615 in 1925. As there were no abnormal conditions to cause the increase, Departmental officers are feeling rather “bucked.” They are now weighing up methods for stimulating traffic in the coming summer. Last year, the railways benefited considerably by the Exhibition at Dunedin, and by the visit of the American Fleet. As some offset to this, in the coming summer will be the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, which is bound to cause heavy traffic at Christchurch. Apart from the present policy, which is proving so successful of attracting revenue by means of excursions, it is hoped to stimulate the idea of using the railways for picnics. The facilities the Department afforded schools and other organisations for picnics last year proved a successful means of popularising railways. The prospects are that a continuation of the policy in the coming summer will yield fruitful results. The present is the slack period of the year for stock and goods traffic, which should begin to build up in November, but all the same, heavy conveyance of coal from the West Coast has kept the rolling stock moving, despite the drop In the conveyance of timber owing to the slump in trade.