CLASSIFICATION AND SUPERANNUATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4478, 4 October 1901, Page 5

CLASSIFICATION AND SUPERANNUATION.

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER OP RAILWAYS.

A deputation of members of the House waited upon Sir J. G. Ward, Minister of Railways, yesterday in reference _to an amendment to the classification .in the railway service and to the promised superannuation scheme. Mr Field, in introducing the subject matter, said the deputation wished to bring the long-promised schemes of superannuation and amended classification for the railway servants before the Minister for that department. There was feeling on both sides of the House that the Schemes should be embodied in a Bill and passed this session. The railway officers believed that these matters were likely to be deferred, and they desired that the Government should be shown the necessity for taking up the question as soon as possible. There was a feir that the measure would not be introduced this session, though all officers .in the department were fully impressed by Sir J.. G. Ward’s interest in the department and particularly in the present subjects. If some measure were not drafted there would’ be i dissatisfaction and discontent, for which there would be some grounds* It was not necessary to refer to the merits of the question or to speak on the long hours, hard work and little pay, as the Minister was fully conversant of these th Mr*G. Fisher remarked that what was required was amended classification and superannuation. Sir J. G. Ward, in reply, informed the deputation that the superannuation scheme had been prepared for some time. The Bill' was prepared, and if Cabinet agreed he would have it circulated amongst the officers and staffs of the department with the idea of having it introduced next session. This course would give an op: portunity for careful consideration of the provisions and he would-lay the question bOfdre Cabinet at once. September of this year had been a splendid month as regarded revenue from: the railways; in fact; it bad been a record month. It was only right that the railway servants should participate, in the benefits of the increased revenue to a • certain extent. Regarding amended classification he could see ‘ no reason why. the Bill in this connection could not be passed this session. A portion of the railway service was in an unsatisfactory state. ' Many officers were under-paid;: but their condition could not be improved without an amended classification. He proposed to remedy the aho. iualy that under present conditions some of the best men were barred from transfers. J He thought his scheme would be approved by Cabinet, and the would -ask members to assist its passing this session, which, he was anxions to gee in fairness and justice to the colony’s railway servants.