The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1890.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9167, 29 July 1890, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1890.

It is unfortunate that trouble should have arisen between the railway men and their officers at the very start of work under the new regulations. It will be remembered that one of the conditions agreed to by the Commissioners and Mr Hoban and his fellow - delegates, was the abolition of all piecework in the shops, except under certain strict limitations. Piecework was to be abolished in the railway shops on the twentieth of this month. Instead, however, of this being done, at the Petone workshops, Wellington, a number of brass-moulders there complain that they have lately had to work by the piece, at a rate yielding them only the most miserable returns. At a meeting of the Amalgamated Railway Servants’ Association held in Wellington on Saturday night, it was stated that two men had been earning at the rate of ten pence halfpenny a day for a fair day’s work. Also, that two men had earned fifteen shillings and fourpence apiece for six days’ work. Naturally a good deal of indignation was felt. However, the Chairman, Mr Skinner, the President of the Wellington branch of the Railway Servants’ Union, was successful in inducing those present to take a cool and moderate view of the position. He pointed out that the new regulations had only just come into force, and that they could not expect that everything would go straight and smooth all at once. He suggested that the aggrieved workmen, before appealing to the Association, would do well to lay their complaints before their masters, the Commissioners.. The meeting took this view of the matter, and resolved to recommend the moulders to write to their foreman. We hear that Mr M'Kerrow explained afterwards, with regard to this particular matter, that the only reason why piecework had been given out in the Petone shops was because the men there bad complained that they were not making as much money as the men at Addington were making on piecework. He pointed out that the men might have an unlucky week at piecework, and afterwards a good week, by which they might recoup themselves. Whether Mr M'Kerrow had been correctly informed or not, we cannot, of course, say. It does not much matter, because, supposing him to have been put wrong by his officers, the Wellington branch of the Association will very soon he able to put him right. It may, we think, be trusted to do that. The point to which we wish to draw attention is the sensible and moderate view of the position taken by Mr Skinner and tbe Wellington meeting. Outsiders are too apt to doubt the reason and self-control- of the railway men. People who do not sympathise with the demands of labour are given to talk of the railway servants as men who are not prepared to wait and be patient and to make allowance for inevitable delays and difficulties. Our view of the railway men is just the reverse, and we are happy to draw attention to their proper and business-like conduct in Wellington. We are quite prepared to hear that a certain amount of friction and irritation is developed before the changes brought about by the new regulations on tbe railways have had full effect and have had time to do their w6rk. Yet it would he most unfortunate if tbe men were to show temper or impatience over these difficulties. They have won a great victory. They have proved themselves stronger than the Commissioners. They have now to show the country that they are worthy to possess such strength, and show they know how to use such a victory. Relying on their superior strength, they can afford to bo calm, patient and good-natured. We feel sure they will show themselves to be so.