RAILWAYMEN'S CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7057, 19 February 1910, Page 6

RAILWAYMEN'S CONFERENCE

FURTHER RESOLUTIONS. I Tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants continued its conference yester- , day in Wellington, the subjects dealt with including the following:— "That tho system of punishment by ■marks be substituted for tho present system." At present the system of punishment by fine is assuming very serious proportions. For the year ending March 31st, 1909, according to tho statement ot the annual balance-sheet of the superannuation: fund, the fines amounted to .C 298 15s. , A long and a varied discussion embracing many phases of tho system of administration of punishment by the department took place, numerous cases. being quoted showing the anomalies existing m administering punishment by way ot fines; and the conference was strongly of opinion that the time has arrived lor some improvement and are convinced that while there are ample means of inflicting punishment, there are very tew means whereby members can earn commendation by their eood conduct, an<l the system of punishment by marks jives that "opportunity. It was decided to discuss with tl-e Minister tho present unsatisfactory m«thods adopted by the department in recognising the value of inventions by member*. Instances were quoted where members have had to wait for indefinite periods before receiving a.ny reply alter the plans of such inventions were sent in, and such plans hare invariably to pass through the lvrads of Pre or fix heads of departments, which is ceiismered very iiiw.Hfr-fr.cfory. also that in many instances whore valuable su"-ca-tions liar,- bom made n.-vl ndoptod br tho department very tardy recognition has been given. The svs.t.?-u of temporary transfer created a long diseiw6en. Although the Minister bad previously promised the fvo.-ii-paid for the fir-i s : x weeks in f.«ffi cf tcmpcu-nrr transfer, and if a member is not again transferred un!i! efter expiration of si xwr.eks, the member reoe : r<« nothing, lie has mw repudiated this sr rangomemt. Inrtn.nces were quoted where members have be«i transferred at irforvals of less than six v.-coks and received no lodging allowance. Thi« presses very | hard on. tho c.-i"gle men. who, owing to the nature of thc>;r transfers, are ra--polled to par a retaining fee t-> hold their rooms in their !cd"iaig pine.? at head-quarters, or bo forced to le-eh for fresh lodgings on their return. It was unanimously revived that in all cases of tempornrv transfer*. Ir-dming allowance bo paid for the first three months. It was unanimously resolred to again reeiuest tho Minister' (o "-rant full ciril and political rights to all railway men. "Thnt all man brought on dntv be paid for not less than four hours." Instances innninierable were quoted where men are booked on for periods of an. hour's duration. "That where work is continuous sihunters and sitrnalmcn not to bo galled up.in to work, more than ten, hours in any one day."