THE RAILWAY OFFICERS’ INSTITUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11333, 29 July 1897, Page 6

THE RAILWAY OFFICERS’ INSTITUTE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — -The reply of the Minister of Railways to the deputation that waited upon him the other day, from the Railway Officers’ Institute, will create some surprise and, I believe, no small feeling of indignation throughout the service, at the attitude taken up by the present Government on the superannuation question, compared with their past promises, as shown, by the Minister’s reply to the deputation, when they brought up the subject of a superannuation scheme for the service. “ He said he could promise nothing about insurance or superannuation. That the Commissioners had tried and failed to please the service.” The latter sentence I demur to; in fact it is almost totally untrue. Yourself, as well as correspondents to your paper at the time of the railway employes’ insurance excitement here a few years ago, had something to say on the arbitrary conduct of the Railway Commissioners toward the employes ; and the members of the present Government' when in opposition were as loud as anyone in denouncing, the conduct of the Commissioners and some of their officers toward the employes, particularly in trying to thrust au objectionable Insurance Bill upon them against their will. Let me state the facts as I know them. Tn 18S9 the Commissioners circulated an Insurance Bill amongst us that, on account of the high contributions and other objectionable features in it, it was not possible for any body of men to agree to. It contained provisions for half-pay during sickness, a pension of an uncertain amount after sixty years of age, and a sum of money payable at death to next-of-kin. The latter proposal we objected to as we could not afford it, the two former being sufficient for our requirements. Railway Employes Insurance Committees wore' appointed here, in Dunedin, and at other places. These committees held meetings frequently and discussed the Bill, finally arranging for and electing delegates to a conference that was held at Wellington by leave from the Commissioners. The executive of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, representing over two thousand members, hearing of the intended conference, and, together with other members of the Society, elected six delegates to represent the members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants at this conference. The names of the delegates were submitted to the Chairman of the Insurance Committee at Christchurch, together with the guarantee that they would favourably consider the Bill and after the conference ask the Government to proceed with it. The Commissioners rejected the Society’s friendly proposal, and the Government rejected the Commissioners. About two years ago the General Manager, by circular, presumably with authority from the Minister of Railways, submitted the two questions of classification and superannuation to the executive of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, inviting suggestions upon the two questions, which we took as a direct intimation of their intention to go on with a superannuation scheme for the service. The different branches of the Society forwarded the two questions on to their General Conference that was held at Auckland in 1896. The Conference, I understand, gave the superannuation question most favourable consideration and discussion, and finally agreed upon the outlines of a scheme that would be most suitable to the condition and requirements of the Railway Service, which was all that was asked of us. This scheme, along with the other question, was forwarded .to the General Manager, in accordance .with his former request. This is the history of the superannuation question so far as I know it up-to-date,

and, in the face of these facts, how the Minister could give such an answer as he has given to the deputation from the Officers’ Institute, I, as well as many others who have taken a warm interest in the question, completely fail to understand. For the last three or four years the employes have been looking forward to the Government introducing a superannuation scheme for the railway service, never expecting that they were going b receive less liberal treatment at the hands of the men they greatly assisted to put into power than they.would have received from their Conservative friends ; hut they are having some rather unfortunate experiences lately. This much I can say, in conclusion, that if the Government will introduce, as wo have hitherto expected them to do, a superannuation scheme that will enable men to retire after sixty years of age on something that will enable them to live, that scheme will bo welcomed by at'least 75 per-cent of the employes of. the. service.. Engiuedrivcrs,,guards, shunters, Ac., cannot very well retain, their positions much beyond sixty, and their own safety, as well as that of the public, almost demands their retirement. —I am, Ac.. A, RAILWAY SERVANT.' Sydenham, July 20,1897.