Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants.

Southland Times, Issue 15186, 17 March 1902, Page 2

Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants.

For tho past week delegates from all parts of the colony have been discussing matters relative to this body of public servants. In order to bring the visitors into closer touch with the members of the local branch, a dinner took place in McFirlane's Hotel on Saturday night, over eighty sitting down to an excellent repast. in the unavoidable absence of the chairman of the local society, Mr VV. Hartle presided. Apologies for absence were read from Sir Joseph Ward. Mr R. McNab, M.H.R., and Mr Ronayne, General Manager of Railways. The Chairman heartily welcomed the delegates to Invercargill, and said that although some might tliitik they were enjoying a nice holiday, those best able to judge knev that the work to be done was no sinecure. From morning till night the delegates had tedious work to accomplish, and in carrying this oat a most thankless task was imposed on them. Mr A. Williams proposed "Tho Parliament of New Zealand," and eulogised the present administration. la the course of a lengthy reply Mr J. A. Haaan, M.H.R. said that tha Parliament was in every sense of the word representative of the people and il was a gratifying fact that, no matter in what station of life a man may bo. if he possessed character and ability, he could attain the highest honour. In New Zealand there was no recognition of class distinctions and the advaDced legislation that had been enacted was in the interests of the mass of the people and aimed at placing them on a higher platform, socially and mentally than most people iv other countries. A great deal had been 'said and written about the.experirueritfil legislation of the Government. In regard to this, the best compliment that could be piid to the colony on the success of the measures introduced was that they were being copied by other countries. This would be further exemplified in a few days by the presence of delegates from Australia who were comiDg to study the working of recent legislation. The Railway Classification Act passed last session placed the servant? in a better position than formerly and although it might contain some Haws and anomalies, Parliament would endeavour to make it perfect. No doubt there were some in the service who considered that they had not been treated fairly and these men made their grievances known. On account of this he thought it the duty of those who had benefited to proclaim the fact. He thought the railway servants had acted wisely in not bringing themselves under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, but on this there was a diversity ot opinion. He had travelled a good deal on the railways in the Australian States, and for sobriety and general working, he was satisfied that the New Zealand service compares favourably with anything in Australia. He strongly believed in servants organising to assert their rights, and also in employers doing likewise. Mr Hanan complimented the local secretary (Mr M. Thomas) for the capable manner in which that official carried out his duties, and concluded by saying that conferences of the kind just held, tended to the good of all.— Loud applause.) Mr M. Gilfedder, M.H.R., was also warmly received, and .said that after the able remarks of the previous speaker there was little left to be said. The present Government had been instrumental in bringing consolation and happiness into many homes, and while he was in Parliament it would be his aim to do what he could to represent every section of the people. He had beeu a working man and his sympathies would always be with the working man. The Hon. W. P. Reeves had warned the workers not to abuse the powers that were placed in their hands, and in this matter he (Mr Gilfedder) thought likewise. They were treading on dangerous ground and walking on thin ice, and they must not abuse what they had, because, if they did, it would work out its own destruction. It would always be his endeavour to do all he could to make the lot of the people happier. (Applause. ) In proposing "The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants," Mr W. A. Morris ; said that he was ono of the sturdy pioneers of the railway society in the old country, which now numbered its members by tens of thousands, and possessed funds proportionately large. Tiie secretary of that organisation was a member of the House of Commons. The railway men in the colonies were not long in finding out that similar institutions would be to their advantage. In this oouutry the press treated these organisations in a fair spirit. In the uld Land, when tho Union first started, he addressed a meeting of 3000 men and not one word of the proceedings was published, so bitter was the feeling. He always took a keen interest in railway matters hero and had frequent interviews with Sir Joseph Ward on the subject. He had always found the honourable gentleman's sympathies and feelings in accord with the aims and aspirations of the men. In regard to political influence in obtaining favours, the speaker said that that was not denied. In the Old Country fully 75 per cent, of the men who were taken on tho railways and public offices owed their appointments to this cause. Mr Haig replied and thanked the members of the luvercargill branch for the handsome manner in which the delegates were entertained during their stay. Ihe Society was indebted to Sir Joseph Ward for solid reforms in the classification and regulation of the service. Mr Edwards, general secretary of the society, said that the movement started in Auckland 16 years ago, and since then had made rapid progress. At the conference, two years ago, it was estimated that the pay of the railway men had improved to the extent of a quarter of a milliou. They had also succeeded in getting shorter hours, and this contributed to the safety of the public as well as the men. The aim of the Society were also philanthropic, £7460, having been paid to widows and orphans of members. The number on the roll was now 3207, an increase of 725 since last meeting ; the Invercargill branch having increased by 98. The greatest feeling of fraternity existed amongst the members, and this helped to make progress easier. The other toasts were " The Invercargill Branch," "Country Members," "Officers of theN.Z. Railways," "Kindred Societies," " The Visitors," and " Host and Hostess." During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Lilley, M. Guthrie, J. Finnerty, A. Truman, G. A. Turner, and A. A. Paape ; Mr M. Thomas giving a concertina solo.