GOLDEN JUBILEE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 91, 17 March 1936, Page 2

GOLDEN JUBILEE.

A. 5.11.5. FUNCTION. The Palmerston North branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants celebrated their jubilee on Saturday evening with a smoke - concert in the Railway Hall, when approximately 200 members were present. Numerous apologies were received from members on duty. Amongst those present were Hon. Mark Briggs, M.L.C., Mr J. Hodgens, M.P., Messrs M. Lee. T. C. AVatson (past Executive Councillors), J. Doig (Executive Council), J. Bedingfield (R.0.T.), T. Crocker (E.F. and C.A.) H. D. Milne (P. and T. Association) and J. Stone (superannuated members). In proposing the toast of the “A.5.R.5.,” Air Hodgens complimented the society in having two of their members elected to the Legislative Council in Hons. M. J. Connelly and J, McCulloch, both of whom had been pioneer workers in the trade union movement for many years. They could rest assured that the interests of the railwaymen, in common with the rest of the workers of New Zealand, would be safeguarded by the present Government. He particularly thanked the railwaymen at Milson for the support given to the Labour Party at the general elections in the past.

The toast o‘f ‘‘Parliament,” was received with prolonged applause. Mr Doig, the mover, being unable to continue for some minutes. The people had asted for the'Government in the past and they had got what they asked for, he said. They had asked for a change on November 27 and in receiving it the supporters of the party in power would have to see that every assistance was given to them by making the particular department of the service in which they were employed a payable one.

At this point the arrival of Hon. Mark Briggs, M.L.C.. held up the proceedings for some time while congratulations were tendered him, with musical honours.

In replying to the toast of “Past Executive' Councillors,” Mr Lee, supported by Mr Watson, recalled the early struggles of the society and the stormy interviews with the various general managers. Starting work at the age of 17, lie said, the wages were 4s 6d per day, but much to Tiis surprise he found that he had to pay for the shovel to work with. As this cost 6s, he had to work for a day and a half for nothing to pay for it. From that moment lie decided* to do his utmost to have this absurd practice discontinued and lie was proud to ' have been in the Executive Council of the society that had done this, and seen other similar iniquities alwlished. Mr Watson, reviewing the maritime strike of 1890, recalled, the successful efforts of the council in getting tho men who were dismissed from the service reinstated. With forceful speech lie dealt with the matters raised by the society a decade ago and at the close left the members wondering what lie must have been like as an advocate when in his urime.

Replying to the toast of “Superannuated Members,” Mr J. Stone, who is , the oldest surviving member of the society in Palmerston North,, related how, on the formation of the Hastings branch, meetings were held in secret at the close ot the day’s work, in a waiting room, with the door locked, as the men were liable to dismissal from the service if caught. Many of his associates of those days had passed on. The toast of “Kindred Societies,” responded to by Messrs Bedingfield, Crocker, and Milne with bright speeches, brought tile evening to a close. The following artists gave items between the toasts: Messrs A. G. Burrows, A. Payne, R. Nicholson, Jeromson and Hutelnns, Warne and A. Hick- | mott.