RAILWAY REGULATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 9

RAILWAY REGULATIONS.

♦ LIBERAL EXTENSIONS. PROMISES REDEEMED. [lir TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDS T.J Wellington, Friday. The Minister for Railways brought down the new railway regulations in the House of Representatives yesterday. Some liberal concessions to members of the service are contained in them. A now scale of travelling allowances has been provided, an increase of Is 6d per day being given to duly-appointed relieving officers and other members engaged as relieving officers in the three lower grades. The charge fop the use of huts has been reduced from 2s to Is per night for members of the second division, thus practically milking an increase of Is per night in lodging allowance. A maximum allowance is provided to cover the cost of transfer in cases where offers are invited. This is to be in lieu of payment of cartage and steamer transport where the offer made is approved. Provision is made for payment for meals for members of the first division doing extra duties in addition to their ordinary work and on Sundays. Provision is also made for payment, on tho consent of the traffic manager, of bicycle allowance where bicycles ar 0 used for railway purposes. Leave of absence has been fixed on the basis of continuous service, an additional week being given to members of tiio first division with over 10 years' service, and three days additional to members of the second division. Sick leave is also provided for according to the period of [service In respect to sick leave, no deduction from the annual leave is made, except in cases where tho sick leave and intermittent leave granted to members on full pay exceeds 14 days in one year. In such cases time off in excess of 14 days is doducted from the ordinary leave. Under the old regulations ever> day was deducted. First-class passes will in future be granted to all members of the first division, and to members of the second division with over 10 years' service. Privilege tickets will be issued to superannuated members and their wives once a month at one-fourth rates for any specified journey., or to. the widow of a railwayman while she is in receipt of the widows' allowance under the Superannuation Act. Stringent conditions against abuse are provided. The terms of admission of persons to the service have been revised to include a certificate from the area officer that any person subject to military training is performing military service for which he is liable. The regulations also define the different classes of casual labour employed. The time during which, an applicant may take up his appointment is limited because of past dilatoriness in so doing. Permanent casuals in future will be required to pass a medical examination as they become members of the permanent staff. The probationary period has been reduced to one year in the case of members of "the second division. Additional facilities are provided by which members of the second division may _ qualify for promotion to the first division, and it is made a matter of duty for members of the first division to render assistance to those in the second division who desire to qualify. More liberal provisions are made for probationers commencing to subscribe to the Superannuation Fund.