RAILWAY TROUBLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14004, 9 March 1909, Page 5

RAILWAY TROUBLES.

ADDINGTON INQUIRY.

THE REPRESENTATION QUESTION.

[BY TELKGRAI'H. — ASSOCIATION.]

Christchurcu, Monday. A MEKrtN'G of the employees of the Addington railway workshops was held at noon to-day.

The chairman stated that the meeting had been called to consider the advisableness of proceeding further in attempting to procure representation lor the men before the inquiry. According to press reports the Minister was agreeable to the general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants appearing on behalf of the men, or any other railwayman the executive nominated Therefore it was now open for someone to move in any direction deemed advisable, the executive being quite willing to nominate anyone whom the meeting decided to » lect in aecorduncc with the Minister's statement.

The fol 1 owing motion was then carried —"That this mooting of Adding ton workshops employees still adheres to the request for an outside representative to bo allowed to appear before the commission of inquiry, on their behalf, and in this connection herewith submits the name of Mr. T, \E. Taylor, M.P., as being a suitable pet eon to represent them." THE MINISTER'S REPLY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS . ASSOCIATION.] Timabu, Monday. A copy of the resolution passed by the Addington workshops employees to the effect that they will decline to recognise the inquiry unless granted outside representation was forwarded by the secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants to Mr. Millar. "I have already stated," Mr. Millar has replied, "that 1 would only accept as representative of the men one of the executive of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, or any raUway employee. It is needless for me therefore to say that 1 do not consent to Mr. Taylor or any other member of Parliament, or anyone else outside of the society or union appearing on behalf of the men at the inquiry. It is an inquiry of practical men into certain statements, and can only be dealt with by practical men. In other words, it. is an inquiry set up by myself, consisting of experts outside of the railway service to advise me in regard to certain allegations which have been made. The whole object is to ascertain whether the work is done efficiently and economically in the Addington workshops. I think I .have offered the men at Addington a wide range of selection, and the whole of the railway service is open to them, including the executive of their union, who conduct all their business, technical and otherwise. As the men have declined the offer made, and while regretting their decision, I have nothing further to say than that the inquiry will proceed as appointed." SCOPE OF THE INQUIRY. ~ [Br TELEGRAPH.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.] Timaru, Monday. The scope of the Addington inquiry will cover the following points:—The efficiency of the plant and appliances, the system of work adopted and the discipline maintained, the cost of production as compared with the cost in other establishments whether Government or' private; the output, whether it" is reasonable in and quality, having regard to all the circumstances; and generally any matter calling for alteration or improvement in the interests of efficiency or discipline. Professor Scott will act as chairman of the Board. A QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS association.] Wellington, Monday. In the railway workshops at Petone today a meeting of employees was held to discuss matters appertaining to tho recent trouble over promotions and appointments. Some weeks ago the men held a meeting in protest against the Department's action in promoting an ex-Manawatu employee, with, it was said, only about five or six years' experience, to a position of senior hand, in preference to local men of much longer service at Petone. To-day a motion was carried appointing representatives fj-om the different departments in the shop® to form a deputation to wait upon the Minister for Railways (Hon. J. A. Millar) in reference to the subject.

POSITION AT BROKEN RIVER.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CfiRiSTCHrRCH, Monday.

About 30 of the men employed on the Broken River railway works left work today, refusing to accept the new system of payment at Is 3d per truck, instead of 9s per day. It is understood that others will also abandon their work.