MR ALISON SMITH IN MELBOURNE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7928, 20 July 1887, Page 4

MR ALISON SMITH IN MELBOURNE.

Mr Alison Smith when in New Zealand was not at all iv the favour of the men under him iv the Government workshops, and appears to be in no great favour in Victoria among the engine drivers. A good deal of interest is being taken iv a dispute which is now proceeding there by persons outside the department. The Railway Enginedrivers and Firemen's Association held a meetiug at the Trades' Hall on Sunday, July 10, to ventilate their grievances against Mr Smith. There was a very large attendance of members, the room in which the meetiug was held being completely full. Several grievances were mentioned, chief amongst them being that the men complained of being frequently punished and left in ignorance of the offences. It is also alleged that the punishment meted out for what the men term trivial offences was altogether too severe. Several resolutions were carried to the effect that the Railway Commissioners be written to, and requested that in future, when a man is charged with any offence, tht correspondence iv connection with the ease may be offered to him, in order that hp may be afforded an opportunity to ropSy hi his-selft defence. ..A further resolution was carried requesting the commissioners to stop the action of officers in requiring drivers to give up their certi6cates when reduced in rank; and it was also carried—" That tho members of the Town Association view with alarm and indignation the undue and severe punishment infticted on some of tho members by the acting locomotive superintendent, Mr Alison Smith, and we respectfully protest against the objectionable system being continued: an officer who does not command the respect of his subordinates cannot maintain discipline." One member proposed that a deputation should be appointed to wait upon the commissioners, and lay the resolutions passed in the meeting before them; and that failing adequate .satisfaction, a deputation should wait upon the Minister of Hallways, with the view of having the matter brought before the Cabinet. It WK3 pointed out that this would be unfair to the commissioners, and an amendment was carried to the effect that the'secretary be instructed to write to the commissioners explaining the nature of the meeting and enclosing a copy of the resolutions carried. This course was followed next day. The commissioners, however, bring records to [show that Mr Smith's punishments and fines have been much iess severe than Mr Mirls' were, though somewhat more frequent, and also that all his punishments are revised by themselves. Mr Smith has giveu the reporters a list of the cases in which he has reduced, and these have been for very serious offences. A train was run oii to a wrong line at the te«uinus, and a collision with a crowded passenger train narrowly averted. The enginedriver and fireman iv charge of the offending train were both found, stupidly drunk. Another engiuedriver was found lying drunk between the rails beside his engine at the time he should ha'i-0 started. A third, driving a new engine oil a trial trip, by gross cari.-lefs.nees did it damage to the extentof £300. Tha lr.on, Mr Smith declares, are not at all of a high, class, and ho would like to soo a few good English drivers brought amongst them to set them an example. Some of the engiuedrivers tlocliini that Mr Mirls bad no discipline, was afraid of the association, and has allowed the service to drift into disorganisation. The commissiorters have vepiiod expressing their confidence in Mr Smith's integrity and fairness,

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