RAILWAY OFFICERS

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1939, Page 3

RAILWAY OFFICERS

National Institute CRITICISES CHRISTCHURCH MOVE. WELLNGTON, June 20. Interviewed on a Press Association message from Christchurch about the cross-examination of the railway staff, Mr Barnes, pre.iden. of the Railway Officers’ Institute, said that he thought the proposed meeting and press publicity were untimely and ill-advised, and they had not had the approva* of the executive committee. “Obviously there are two sides to every question,” said Mr Barnes, “and the executive committee aesires to give full consideration to both sides before committing itself to any line, of action.” He said the North Canterbury branch recently forwarded particulars of the naatter to the executive committee, and tnis body took appropriate action. In the meantime, Mr J. S. Roscoe, as secretary of the North Canterbury branch, sent full reports to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Railways; but before the Prime Minister had an opportunity of dea }‘ n B with the matter it would appear that a meeting had been called and press publicity ’undertaken. “It is obvious that the Minister for Railways cannot be aware of what has taken place, and the present action of the North Canterbury branch can only be regarded as embarrassing t 0 the Minister and the Government, and in my opinion is not in the best interests of members of the institute,” concluded Mr Barnes.