ELECTRIC TRAIN STAFF SYSTEM

Otago Witness, Issue 2413, 31 May 1900, Page 29

ELECTRIC TRAIN STAFF SYSTEM

f or working our trains with safety. This system provides an absolute block system for safe, single-line working. It is, moreover, imperative that for safe working the points and signals at all stations and junctions through which trains run without stopping should be interlocked, and I have therefore resolved to order this work to be done with the least possible delay. As soon as the company can carry out the work, the Westinghouse automatic brake will be fitted to the whole of our rolling stock. Plans for improved railway carriages for long journeys are in hand, and I hope shortly to equip our express and mail trains with cars having more modern conveniences, and care will be taken not to overlook the second-class passenger. In this respect I have decided to have provided at a3 early a date as possible on all express services throughout the colony separate accommodation i"or ladies, and where the traffic warrants it ""to adopt a similar system upon other train services. SUPERANNUATIONS. The time has arrived when I conceive it to be the duty of tho country to provide for an effective system of superannuation for the employees of the railway service. In other countries this has been done, and has- worked effectively, and I think it is only right that the employees of the New Zealand railway service should hey© a complete system, of, siigeranania-

tion established. I hope, with the co-opera-tion of my colleagues and the members of the Legislature, to be able to place on the Statute Book at an early date an effective system which will remove a blot that now exists, and while making the future of members of the service assured, will hold out greater inducements to them to remain attached to the department and to discharge the duties devolving upon them conscientiously, and to the utmost of their ability. It will be generally recognised that when men have passed middle life and spent the greater portion of it in the employ of the Railway department, they are generally not well fitted to enter upon a fresh walk in life. This asraect of the matter calls for- consideration, and demands that something should be done. I have been giving a great deal of consideration to this important matter, and I hope to be able to submit a scheme which will commend itself to the public and give satisfaction to the members of the railway service.