RAILWAY SERVANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8475, 28 January 1891, Page 5

RAILWAY SERVANTS.

GRIEVANCES OF THE EMPLOYEES.

ACTION OF THE LABOUR PARTY.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Tuesday. A deputation of the Labour Party waited on the Premier, Mr. Ballanco, this morning at ton o'clock in reference to the grievances of the railway employes. Mr. John McKenzie, Minister for Lands, was also present.

The deputation consisted of Messrs. Joyce, Fisher, O'Conor, Guinness, Tanner, Earnshaw, Pinkerton, C. H. Mills, Dawson, HallJones, Buick, Kelly, Macintosh, and some others. The wishes of the deputation as laid before the Premier by Mr. Earnshaw were that the railway employes dismissed during the recent strike should bo reinstated ; that the unions of the railway employes should bo recognised as they existed previous to their affiliation with the Maritime Council; that the employment of men through the agency of labour bureaux should not be made compulsory ; that married employes should not unnecessarily be shifted from place to place, and that men of experience should not be dismissed to make way for inexperienced men on the plea of economy. Nearly all the members of the deputation gave instances of hardship which had come under their personal notice, and they urged upon the Government the necessity of taking some action, as many of the best men in the service were being practically ruined by the treatment they received. Mr. Joyce stated that in his district the Railway Commissioners were engaging men through the Employers' Association Labour Bureau, and that previous to engaging them, they made them sign an agreement that they would not belong to the unions as as present constituted. The Premier promised that the Government would givo tlio matter their best consideration. They had no power over the Railway Commissioners, but they would place before them tho grievances of the deputation, and endeavour to the best of their ability to promote peace and harmony in this important section of tho public service.

Mr. Ballance informs me that the Government, are anxious to allay the irritation which has existed sinco the strike, and now that the recent industrial war is over they want things to be put on a smooth and harmonious working basis. In a private firm dividends would be small where irritation and discontent prevailed among the employees, and no different result can be expected in the public service. Mr. Ballance says the men seem to have some undoubted grievances, and he thinks the refusal of the Commissioners to recognise the unions is a mistake, as he regards them as the best channels for complaints from the employees to the Commissioners. The Government will lay the complaints made by the deputation before the Commissioners ; the Commissioners will reply, giving their reasons for the course they have adopted, and the matter will then be discussed and settled in a quiet and friendly way. To many of the complaints made the Premier says the Commissioners may have satisfactory replies, and it is only fair that their views, as well as those of the labour party, should be known to the Government.

Mr. Rees, who was one of the members of the deputation, is very warm about the grievances of the men. lie says he had no idea till he heard about them from the deputation that such petty tyrannies were indulged in by the Commissioners and their officers. He say? instances were given by the score, and that something must be done. If no satisfactory result, follows from the action of the Government, Mr. Rees contemplates tabling a motion in the House that the handing over of Government property to an irresponsible Board has caused great dissatisfaction, and has demoralised the public service. The deputation after their interview with the Premier reported to a meeting of their party, held at eleven o'clock, Mr. Earnshaw being in the chair. It was decided to wait and see what would bo the outcome of the interview with the Premier. If this outcome is not satisfactory the matter is to be threshed out on the floor of the House.

In connection with the railway deputation this morning, Mr. Fish has given notice to ask the Minister for Public Works whether he is aware that the Railway Commissioners have instructed their manager? in the Auckland districts to inform all employes seeking a rise in pay, or promotion, that such claims cannot he considered unless they leave their union. While on this matter, I may mention that I am informed that all the employes who left the service during the late strike have applied to be taken back, on the terms specified by the Railway Commissioners.