ENGINEMEN CONFER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8655, 13 February 1914, Page 8

ENGINEMEN CONFER

OVERTURES TO RAILWAY DlsJ PABTMBNT. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, February 11. , The fourth Dominion conference of the New Zealand Engine Drivers, Fire, men, and Cleaners’' Association opened to-day. There were present Messra Kennedy (chairman), T. Henderson (vice-president), W. McArley (general secretary) and delegates Wiles, Den*,: Pepperhill, and Oraies (North Island), Walker, Brown Rowe, and Henderson' (South Island). Mr Kennedy in his presidential re*: port announced tho steady progress of the association and the healthy inter-* est manifested in its concerns. Tha general memberships was now in tha vicinity of 1600, representing 95 per cent, of tho workmen engaged in tha locomotive section of the railway service, The atitude of the Department in failing to respond to representations made was causing complaint. The grand council intended making strong representation on the matter. Overtureys were to he made to the De-< partment, whose reply would ho con* ' sidered. The conference, which is not open to the press, is expected to last over the week. SECOND DAY’S PROCEEDINGS* CHRISTCHURCH, February 12. The conference of the Locomotive Engine Drivers, Firemen and Cleaners’ Association was resumed to-day. Tho morning was devoted to the consideration of a comprehensive agenda paper, covering many salient points and introducing beneficial innovations. Many anomalous rules in the railway regulations were discussed, and the Grand Council was advised to stand solid in its determination to arrest the irritation and friction engendered by impracticable rules. The question of registering the association under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was mooted, though no official discussion took place. Contracts entered on with the department are expected to be fulfilled before fresh negotiations are proceeded with. Tho -work of the executive council for the years 1912-H was reviewed and confirmed, and it was unanimously resolved “that the executive council has been alert to its obligations and has ably discharged the manifold duties devolving upon it.” Additional rules were added to the coustitution of the executive council, extending its sphere ,of activity to meet the increased requirements. The Grand Council recommended that tho grounds -of appeal in cases of punishment be made more accessible to members, to admit of the closest investigation in the matter of fines for alleged errors. It also recommended that the designation of members approaching promotion he more closely defined in the D 3 list. The council discussed the- inconvenient construction and dimensions of the railway houses, as supplied to certain members of division 2. The centre room, bathroom. and scullery, it was stated, are so diminutive, that they become untenable, and it was decided to ask that these rooms be enlarged to reasonable and habitable dimensions.