Railway Servants Celebrate Jubilee

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 64, 17 March 1936, Page 9

Railway Servants Celebrate Jubilee

A.S.K.S. HAS PROUD RECORD. Tho Palmerston North branch of the Amalgamated Society of Kailway Servants celebrated their jubilee on Saturday evening with a smoko concert in tho Kailway hall, when approximately 200 members were present. Numorous apologies were received from members on duty. Amongst those present were tho Hon. Mark Briggs, M.L.C., Mr J. Hodgcns, M.P., Messrs M. Lee, T. C. Watson (past executive councillors), J. Doig (executive Council), J. Bodinglicid (R. 0.1.), T. Crocker (E.F. and C.A.), H. D. Milno (P. and T. Association), and J. Stone (superannuated members). In proposing tho toast of the “A.5.K.5.,” Mr Hodgcns complimented the society in having two of their members elected to tho Legislative Council in the Hons. M. J. Connolly and J. McCulloch, both of whom had been pioneer workers in the trade union movement for many years. They could rest assured thut tho interests of the railwaymon, in common with tho rest of tho workers of New Zealand, would bo safeguarded by the present Government. Ho particularly thanked the railwaymon at Milson for tho support given to tho Labour Party at the general elections in tho past. Tho toast of “Parliament” was received with prolonged applause, Mr Doig, tho mover, being unable to continue for somo minutes. The people had asked for the Government in the past and they had got what they asked for, ho said. They had asked for a change on November 27th, and in receiving it, tho supporters of the party in power would have to see that everj assistance was given to them by making tho particular department of the service in which they wero employed, a payable one. At this point tho arrival of tho Hon. Mark Briggs, M.L.C., held up tho proceedings for somo timo whilo congratulations wero showered upon him, with musical honours.

In replying to the toast of ‘‘Past Executive Councillors,” Mr Leo supported by Mr Watson, recalled the early struggles of the socioty and the stormy interviews with tho various general managers. Starting work at tho ago of 17, ho said, the wages were 4s 6d per day, but much to his 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 ho decided to do his utmost to havo this absurd practico discontinued and ho was proud to havo been on the executive council of the society that had had this, together with other similar iniquities, abolished. Mr Watson, reviewing the maritime strike of 1890, recalled the successful efforts of the council in getting the men who were dismissed from the seivice, reinstated. With forceful speech ho dealt with the matters raised by the society a decade ago and at tho close, left,. , thp ipembers wondqring; what he must 'havd 1 bCori like, ’as' am’advocate, when in his prime. Replying to the toast of “Superannuated Members,” Mr Jesse Stone, who is tho oldest surviving member of the society in Palmerston North, related how, on the formation of the Hastings branch, meetings were held in secret at tho close of the day’s work, in the ladies’ 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 and two years ago he thought, his time had come, but he thought of the unexpended portion of tho superannuation fund and decided to enjoy the benefits for a few more years. Tho toast of “Kindred Societies,” responded to by Messrs Bodingfioid, Crocker and Milne, with bright speeches, brought the evening to a close.

The following artists gavo items between the toasts:—A. G. Burrows, A. Payne, It. Nicholson, Jeromson and Hutchins, Warno and A. Ilickmott, and Mr L. Smith. Historical Keview.

Formed on March Bth, 188 G, tho Amalgamated Society of Kailway Servants still retains tho name given to it at its first meeting, held in the Waitemata Hotel, Auckland. Tho first movers in tho organisation of the soci cty were railway workers on tho Auck land wharf, who, convinced that tha time had come for tho banding togothor of tho railwaymen for their mutual benefit, had tho courage to face the consequences of their action, by, what was then considered, the crime of forming a trado union. To-day, trad» unionism is considered tho proper means of contact between employer and employed for tho presentation of grievances, and wore tho founders of the society alive to see tho ideals for which they suffered persecution and dismissal, an established fact, they would feel that their efforts were not in vain.

Although the names of the original members of tho first branch of tho society are lost to us, ono uamo in particular stands out as tho recognised leader at that time—Christopher Leek. His name is linked to that of tho organisation from its early days and he is recognised as the founder of the society.

The death of an engine driver, accidently run over at the water tanks, brought the men closer together in their viows that some provision should be made in a case of this sort, for tho widow and children. To-day wo have the Workers’ Compensation Act providing for it. Tho society has seen many changes and vicissitudes, the chief of which was the breaking away of the engine drivers, firemen, cleaners and the tradesmen, but we see a move to bring them all together again in one big union, and if this could be accomplished during tho jubilee year, it would give great satisfaction to all members of tho service.