Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation 3,800 Copies Daily SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1911. THE RAILWAYMEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9540, 17 June 1911, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation 3,800 Copies Daily SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1911. THE RAILWAYMEN.

It is milLv marvellous how sympathetic Ministers profess to he junt now.in regard to tlio oonsicleration of reqiiosts from railwayman.; It was recently announced thai ;K0,0!)() i.s i<> bo devoted to tlto increase of railwaymeirs wages. \Ye arc pleased io hoar it; lor tlio railway service is probablv, the most important branch of the. public service of the Dominion, and comprises some-of. the most progressive. intelligent and self-respecting individuals in the community. But it nunsfc also'be remembered that railwaymen can exercise great political power, a fact which is patent in a special degree to Ministers, especially at the present- juncture, :with .a general election looming on the-near horizon, The railwayman is a great power—a voting power—and full well do' Ministers know what the use of that power portends. Wo notice that' the Minister gave .a;. syinpatliotic reply to a deputation which interviewed him at Ai"Vmoho to. ask if lie would authorise the building of a social hall for the staff, at Waiiganui. The Minister said he thought the hall cou'ki he built, and he promised to look into the. iiiataM-. • Tlio hall-is .as good as built! That interview' was well timed, and the depu-. tafion deserved success, Hut raihvaymen deserve con.si;!es"<it:on : not only before; but after a general election 1 , for they have been none ioo well treatecl in the past in many ways. If they can secure bettor- pity and better treatment in the future.and a reduced, mortality among shunters by belter lighting of-.yards, and hotter appliances generally no tine will begrudge them flie concessions since the public freely, acknowledge their indebtedness in many ways.to the skill, vigilance and resourcefulness of the railway servants on so important/ a public utility,: