Railway Employees Conference

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7269, 24 July 1893, Page 3

Railway Employees Conference

SBDDON’S COLD WATER

(Bt Telegraph.)

WELLINGTON, July 24

The Railwayman's Conference, resumed at 2 pm. on Maiurday, when consideration of the clauses of the Bill seriatim was continued. Clause 6, section 2—lt was agreed that the amendment be rescinded and that a new clause as proposed by the Commissioners be accepted, namely, “ That any person who in terms of section B is a permanent employee, who has his life insured in some approved office for an amount of not less than twelve months’ salary at bis then rale of pay, may be relieved of appropriation of bis contribution to the insurance fund in respect of an amount when determined on by the authorities having charge of the railways for the lime being, and that no amount shall be payable at death from the insurance fund on account of such employee.” Clause 6, section 3 —The proposed amendment was confirmed. Clause 10—The proposed amendment was confirmed, with the addition that if the Government cannot grant it to the present employees, it be granted to future employees. Clause 11 —It was agreed that the proposed amendment be struck out. Clause 12—It was resolved to accept the Commissioners’ proposal re Board of Advice. Clause 19—It was agreed that as the amendment of this clause will be given effect to by the authorities publishing a return in the annual report, no further action will be necessary.

Clause 22—The proposed amendment to be confirmed.

It was resolved that the amendment re quinquennial investigation be rescinded, but that the amendment providing for continuing in the funds after leaving the service, be confirmed.

The conference adjourned till 9 a.m. on Monday, At an interview between the Railway Com-, znissioners and the railway delegates the secretary of the Railway Insurance Conference made a statement with regard to the assertion that bad been made in some quarters, that the delegates did not represent the employees* He pointed out that the representative from Auckland was a yard foreman; while the delegates from Rapier, Hawero, Palmerston North, and Wanganui were staiionmasters ; Wellington sent a clerk and the etationmaster and a fitter from the workshops ; Christchurch an inspector and a carpenter; Timaru a clerk ; Oamaru a signalman ; Dunedin a storeman, guard and night foreman in the locomotive sheds, and Invercargill a clerk. Several of the delegates were members of the Railway Union, and one was secretary of his branchAll bad been elected either at public meetings of the employees held in the centres of their respective districts, or by committees elected by such public meetings, with power to do their utmost to advance the insurance pro posals. In only three instances, namely at Christchurch, Dunedin, and ifalmerston North, had the latter mode of election been adopted ; all the others having been elected at a public meeting which all the employees were invited to attend- Several sections namely Grey mouth, Westport, Nelson, and Whangarei were represented by a deputy, it being inconvenient lor them to send anyone to the conference. On the delegates arriving from Wellington it was found that the men at the Petone shops and others employed in Wellington were unrepresented, ana a delegate was accordingly elected at a large meeting of the employees. The delegates did not pretend to represent those who were entirely opposed to the insurance scheme, but they did claim to represent these who saw the urgent need for it, and they contended that a large majority of the railway men recognised the necessity and were in sympathy with the movement, and with the obj ots of the conference. The secretary pointed out that the hopes of the railway men generally, from Auckland to the Bluff, were centred on the .

• results of the conference, end it was to be regretted that r few opponents to the scheme should endeavour to disparage the of their fellow employees in a work which ) should produce great results. He also emphasised the fact that no employee would be compelled to contribute under the Bill if it became law. A deputation from the Bailway Insurance Conference, accompanied by Mr McKerrow, Chief Bail way Commissioner, waited on the Premier this morning. In reply to a question by Mr Seddon Mr McKerrow said the Conference was held with the approval of the Commissioners. Mr Gray, secretary to the Conference, explained the amendments in the Railway Insurance Bill proposed by the Conference. It was desired >o have a Bill so framed that it would give satisfaction to all grades and classes in the service. Personally he knew that the whole service agreed with the principle of the measure, and if the Government would secure its passage through Parliament they would receive the thanks and support of the service generally. Mr McKerrow explained that when the rules and regulations were fixed it would cost very little to carry out the Bill. The Commissioners were anxious for some scheme that would obviate application being made to * the Commissioners and the Government for compensation in every case of accident, as was done at present. The Commissioners wished the scheme to be self supporting and with a State guarantee, but the Conference desired a Government subsidy on the contributions. That was, to the Commissioners' mind the crucial point of the Conference's Bill. Taking the present strength of the service the subsidy would amount to a little more than £SOOO annually. Mr Seddon, in reply, said he would object in ioto to the proposal to allow men to increase their contributions for the purpose of increasing the amount of their retiring allowance, as such provision would be entirely to the advantage of the beet paid men in the service. Mr Gray interjected that the proposal had emanated from the shunters. Mr Si ddon : •* Then they are asking for an

utter impossibility." Continuing, he eaid the

, action of the delegates in meeting to frame I legislation on their own behalf was one that I he did not altogether agree with at first, but ! as it was with the sanction of the Oommis- , sioners he had nothing more to say. It must be borne in mind that the whole Government Service had to be considered not one branch only, and the Government could not legisla'e piecemeal. Here was one branch of the service asking for a subsidy of £SOOO per annum, aud what was done to one branch might fairly be claimed by another. The admission that friendly societies and insurance companies could do all that tho Bill provided must be seriously considered, as tho Government must take into account tho effect the Bill would have on these institutions. This phase of the question was a very serious one. What, he asked, might be the effect of the withdrawal of a large number from the friendly societies, especially in the face of the statement that some of the latter were not very strong financially? The Government must look at this side of tho question as in the event of a disastrous result they would receive blame. It was admitted however that something required to be done in regard to many features of the Bill, and the Government were desirous of doing this something. He would place the views of the delegates his colleagues, and ask tho Commissioners to get the proposals contained in the Bill submitted to actuarial computation. Fair time should be given every man in the service to consider the proposals, and if any objected they should have the support of a meeting in saying so. The Government 1 would not act hastily in a matter of such great importance. The Railway Conference has closed. The secretary was instructed to send a letter of thanks to the Commissioners, the chairman and Messrs Botberam, Triggs, and Donne. Saturday’s telegram with regard’ to clause 5 should have road ; “It was agreed , to rescind the amendment proposed by the , Conference.” I