RAILWAY OFFICERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 55

RAILWAY OFFICERS.

RECLASSIFICATION PROPOSALS. WELLINGTON, June 2S. Speaking at a smoke concert to delegates of the Railway Officers’ Institute, the Prime Minister referred to the delay in the publication of- D 3 (Classification of Officers’ Department). Its detention was not in any way the fault of the Railway Board, for it had been a week or 10 days in his hands ns Minister of Railways. While he had every confidence in Mr Jones and his board, he did want to understand thoroughly the reclassification before he “O.K.’d” it; and therefore he hoped they would overlook the slight delay in its production. Next time he hoped to have it out early in the year, so that they could look forward to a welcome change. In regard to the regrading authorised by legislation last year, that would not be found in D 3, but in next year’s edition. Whatever its merits or demerits were, the matter was being considered not only by the board, but also by other officials, and would be the nearest to a merit system that could be adopted. He could not lay too much stress on the necessity for training young officers, and at least four young men should be sent abroad annually to train, by exchange or otherwise, on other railway systems, so that they could serve the Dominion more efficiently when they returned. Senior men would leave the service when their turn came, so that everything should be done to educate officers efficiently to fill their places. The desire was not only to prevent the service from becoming insular or circumscribed in its outlook, but to procure a better railway system. He also urged the board to fix a regular time to meet and discuss problems with the members of the different departments. The conference discussed salaries, urging increases commensurate with the onerous nature of the duties, and that steps be taken through the regrading of several stations to facilitate promotions in the lower grades. It was agreed that members of the first division should be paid penal rates for all the time worked between 10 p.m. and 0 a.m.; that Sunday rates be paid those members brought on duty on Sunday to commence or finish a shift; that the conference press for a minimum pay of four hours for time worked on Christmas Day, Good Friday, or Anzac Day; that members booked for dnty on the Sovereign’s Birthday and Labour Day be paid for and treated aa for work on Good Friday, Christmas Day. and Aniac Day; that overtime leave up to six days to members at the time of their going on annual leave be conjoined wth the annual leave; that in the cate of a member’s annual leave being

absorbed by sick leave any statutory departmental holidays worked shall not be forfeited with the annual leave, and that if a member applies for a part of his annual leave during the summer months the department should give consideration to such application. It was resolved to press for a new issue of accounts, instruction, and other books, and to ask that any error in the returns be dealt with entirely by the chief accountant, instead of through the district traffic officers as at present. June 29. The annual conference of the Railway Officers’ Institute was continued to-day. The Prime Minister and the members of the Railways Board visited the conference and addressed the delegates on matters concerning the railway service. The following resolutions were carried: “That the conference, after having considered the question of advertising vacancies in the service, resolves that as the method was introduced by the department without first consulting the institute, an expression of opinion as to the suitability of the system should not be made until it has been given a further trial. The Executive Committee is, therefore, requested closely to watch the matter and take suitable action if necessary.’' “That whilst whole-heartedly .supporting the institution of a correspondence course by the department, the conference is opposed to any system of promotion by examination.” July 1. The annual conference of the Railway Officers’ Institute concluded to-day. During the afternoon the delegates waited on members of the Railway Board and placed a number of the decisions of the conference before them. The proceedings throughout were most pleasant and cordial. At the conclusion the members of the board were heartily cheered. Owing to the pressure of his Parliamentary duties the Prime Minister was unable to hear the representations it was intended to bring under his notice, and these it was decided to leave to the executive committee to per. form when a suitable opportunity offered. It was decided, that, owing to the lack of the members’ support, no further action be taken in regard to the Widows Pensions Scheme. The executive committee was authorised to maJ&B-iuU inquiries regarding the cost of a suitable building to replace the one at present in use as a head office and was asked to make recommendations as to the methods of financing the proposals. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr N. R. J. Stanley, (Wellington); vice-presidents, Messrs R. S. Skinner (Auckland), W. A. Finlayson (Wellington) ; J. J. M‘Aloon (Methven, Canterbury) ; general treasurer, L. Barclay, auditors, W. Bishop, E. H. Alington ; executive committee (resident in Wellington), A. S. Henderson (Maintenance Branch), E. W. Barnes (Locomotive), V. C. Hardy (Stores), J. K. Goodley, R. G. Croudis, A. C. Brown and J. MacDonald (Traffic).