ENGINE-DRIVERS' REQUEST

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15920, 4 May 1912, Page 2

ENGINE-DRIVERS' REQUEST

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER OF LABOUR. [Per Press Association-.] WELLINGTON, May 3.

A deputation from the Engine Drivers' Federation waited upon the Minister of Labour (the Hon George Laurenson) to-night and laid before him a number of requests in regard to the Inspection,of Machinery Act and other matters.

Mr Laurenson, in replv. said that he had a difficult task to"fulfil, .standing' as he did between engineers who wished their privileges conserved and engine-drivers who wished to improve their positions. With respect to the request for power. for the Association's representatives to visit engine rooms, he would rather have extra inspectors employed, as it had been found that any man having authority from a Government Department, but not under the control of the Department, was apt to run away with it. The head of the Department had ..reported against any narrowing down of tho definition of "'effective change," ; but iie would consider the matter and 6ee what could be done. lu the examination room the presence of a representative of any body, members of which were being examined was liable to cause a great deal of friction. The request that there should be a. weekly day of rest had liis entire sympathy, arid if he could do anything to promote that end he would. Something might be done on the lines followed by the Lyttelton Harbour Board in, the way of giving special holiday leave. It seemed to him reasonable' that the holder of an engineer's certificate should be deemed to be the holder of. a first-class shore, certificate.. Their request that drivers with four years' service should be allowed to sit for an engineer's certificate was to his mind the most important .they had brought forward. Something should be done, if possible,' to allow a man to rise above his present position. He would consider the question of a. uniform ticket for but he did not wish to interfere with local government, which controlled this matter. The request, for "steam time" appeared to him to be more within the province of the Arbitration Court.

Mr Read replied that they had tried the Arbitration Court and could get no satisfaction. In a recent award it appeared as if the . Court considered that engine-drivers were different from other flesh and blood; "We feel verv strongly in this matter," he added, "wo are going to have it."- - ..' The Minister advised Mr Read , to speak with more' moderation.. ';.■■" ; After being assured, that the ret mainder of the requests-would be considered the deputation withdrew.