RAILWAY OFFICERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 June 1924, Page 5

RAILWAY OFFICERS.

MEETING OF INSTITUTE. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, June 19. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet at the annual meeting of the Railway Officers Institute, Mr J. R, Robertson, president, said that nearly thirty years had elapsed since the organisation was brought into being, but much of its work had stood the test of _time. There was talk now of resuscitating the "‘one big union’’ idea, but from what had passed recently he considered they could proceed with equanimity as a separate organisation looking after its own affairs and attending the wants of their own members. Air Robertson referred to the compulsory retirement of members after forty years’ service, which, he said, provided an open question as to whether it was a blessing or a curse. He also referred to the recent strike, which the conference would consider at a later stage, and to the Institute’s proposed increases in salaries, which he claimed were reasonable, as the cost of living had risen during the year. A motion was carried that night work he paid for at an additional rate between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a;.m. A proposal from Auckland and Invercargill that overtime be paid for in cash instead of time off was rejected.