RAILWAY OFFICERS' INSTITUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19203, 20 June 1924, Page 6

RAILWAY OFFICERS' INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL MEETING. PROPOSED INCREASES IN WAGES. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 19. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet at the annual meeting of tho Railway Officers’ Institute. Air J. R. Robertson (president) said that nearly 50 years had elapsed since the organisation was brought into being'. Much of its work had stood the test of time. There was talk now of resuscitating a ‘‘one big union” idea, but from what had passed recently he considered they could proceed with equanimity ns a separate organisation, looking after their own affairs and attending to tho wants of their own members.

Mr Robertson referred to the compulsory retirement of members after 40 years’ service, which, ho said, provided an open question whether it was a blessing or a curse. He also referred to the recent strike, which, he said, the conference would consider at a later stage, and to the institute’s proposed increases in salaries, which, he claimed, were reasonable, as the cost of living had risen during the year. A motion was carried that night work ho paid for a.t an additional rate between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. A proposal from Auckland and Invercargill that overtime he paid for in cash instead of time off was rejected. Various remits, most of which had been discussed by previous conferences, dealing with the payment for duty on statutory holidays, hours of duly, Sunday work, and overtime, were disposed of. Tho conference occupied the afternoon with questions affecting superannuation, and remits under the heading will again ho discussed to-morrow.

The following remit from the Wellington branch was carried after a lengthy discussion: “That the conference congratulates the Minister of Railways on the decision that the officers with a service of 40 years and over shall bo compulsorily retired, but urges that in future no exception to the rule fco made.”