RAILWAYS BILL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2478, 19 October 1922, Page 5

RAILWAYS BILL.

PACT WITH LOCOMOTIVE ENPLOYEES. MINISTER'S EXTRAORDINARY ADMISSION. "HE HADN'T SEEN IT." (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. A good deal of curiosity was shown by Opposition members in tin; House to-day over a special agreement made by the Minister of Railways with the Locomotive Men's Association in connection with the recent wages reductions. The agreement provides for longer working hours and some reduction of privileges as a set-off against the locomotive men being relieved from a reduction of the schedule wages. Mr Veitch (AVanganui) wished to know if all sections of the railway service had been consulted over the matter and treated alike, and he asked that the agreement be placed before Parliament. Messrs Wilford, Holland and other members supported this demand, Mr Atmore suggesting that there was something radically wrong when the journal of the locomotive men declared that the Government was the friend of the worker.

Mr Holland pointed to the new schedule of locomotive men's wages as an indication that despite the agreement, they had suffered some reduction.

Mr Guthrie, Minister of Railways, replied that the Railway Amendment Bill dealt only with locomotive employees and was giving effect to an agreement with their organisation when the wages cut was proposed. The three railway societies were informed and the Ofiiecrs' Institute stated that although it did not like a reduction, it would have to accept it. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants declined to discuss any proposals, but the Locomotive Men's Association recognised the necessity for reduction and asked for time to make suggestions. It eventually, after consulting its branches, made proposals which were embodied in an agreement.

Mr Veitch: "Can we have the agreement?" Mr Guthrie: "I have not seen it." (Opposition laughter.)

Mr Veitch: "You don't know an agreement on which you introduce legislation?" Mr Guthrie: "If "I was constituted like the hon. gentleman I would not trust anybody. I know what is the effect of the agreement. The privileges given up cost £1 more than has been taken from the A.S.R.S.' Mr Masters: "As Minister of Railways vou have never seen the agreement?" Mr Guthrie: "No." Mr Masters: "Remarkable." RAILWAY AGENTS' HEADQUARTERS. PALMERSTON NORTH FOR NORTH ISLAND. "It seems a funny idea to appoint a railway agent for the South Island and locate him in Wellington," remarked Dr. Thacker, in the course of a Question to the Minister of Railways regarding the headquarters of new officers. He stated that the South Island agent had so far made his headquarters in Wellington, though, in the (speaker's opinion. Christchurch or Dunedin would be more suitable. Mr Guthrie replied that in making new appointments it was difficult to cut the painter at once. Therefore, the new officers had been temporarily placed in Wellington and were working together, so as to secure some uniformity in their operations and to enable, them jointly to come in contact with the general public. Eventually, he thought, the North Island agent would be placed in Palmerston North and the South Island agent would have his headquarters in Christchurch. RAILWAYS BILL READ A SECOND TIME. In the House of Representatives the Railways Amendment Bill was read a second time. Its purpose is to validate the special agreement with the locomotive employers regard'ng the wages cut and to impose a penalty of up to £SO for presenting false waybills.