RAILWAY OFFICERS

Southland Times, Issue 19517, 17 May 1922, Page 3

RAILWAY OFFICERS

ANNUAL MEETING OF INSTITUTE. The annual meeting of the Invercargill branch of t-he New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute was held last evening, Mr W. H. Dunnage presiding over an attendance of about a dozen members. The annual report, which, recorded a comparatively successful and altogether busy year, was as follows: The chief business dealt with was, of course, that of the reduction in salaries. There is no doubt in many minds that the reduction was too drastic and rather premature as the opinion of the majority was that the cost of living had not then dropped to an. extent sufficient to warrant the cut. As did our fellows in other districts, we strongly opposed the Government’s action, but the result of our opposition is well known. We are pleased with what the Executive did in the matter and are convinced that they could have done nothing more in the circumstances, the Premier apparently being determined to make a cut somewhere, irrespective of our needs. Whether hjs action was justified is a matter of doubt. We are glad to note that our executive is still alive to the situation with regard to the July cut, in so far as an effort is being made to ascertain the true expenditure of the household; it is evident that the figures supplied by the Government Statistician do not represent this. We would here thank those gentlemen entrusted with the keeping of the forms of household expenditure for undertaking the task of recording thereon their liabilities. We are watching with keen interest the fight between the Government and the P. and T. Association regarding that Society’s efforte to join the Alliance of Labour. If it should gain its point and affiliate, what influence will their action have on our members? At the time of the cut in salaries, this committee wired the executive, suggesting that a ballot be taken as to the advisability of affiliating with the Alliance of Labour. It was then our almost unani mous opinion that such a course was justi liable and proper. Some are, however, now in doubt as to whether such action would be beneficial to our interests. When the time comes for action, therefore, (if ilt does come) the matter will require weightier consideration. The following is a brief summary of the more important business directly affecting individual members of this Branch, during the year:—•-

1. The attention of the Executive was drawn to the reductions of two positions in Invercargill—the replacing of two members, grade six, with seventh grade officers. It was contended that, though these positions were not defined, they were recognised as being grade six and should be adhered to. 2. The matter of the withholding of scale increases from three cadets with one year’s service on account of their not having qualified in telegraphy in their own time was strongly represented. The lads, acting on the assumption—which we consider they had a perfect right to do—that the Department would, in accordance with past practice, send them to a telegraph gallery to qualify, did not take steps to become proficient in this branch of the work. The Department showed a lamentable oversight in thus stopping these increments and we trust that common justice will assert itself and right the position A stationmaster’s dismissal from the Service was discussed at length and a suggestion made that he should appeal against the Department’s decision. This he has done, and, when the appeal is heard, he will have our support for, though we recognise that offences of {he kind committed are of a serious nature, we think that, besfore drastic punishment is meted out, such matters cannot have too much consideration.

The Committee meetings (fourteen in all) were well attended; only once, owing to an unfortunate combination of circumstances, was some difficulty experienced in obtaining a quorum. The roll of members now stands at 184. We have losTrthis year by resignation one member. It appears that members are inclined to withdraw from our ranks (and incidentally gain, without effort on their part, the fruits of others’ labours) when their subscriptions are allowed to fall into arrears. We would, therefore, recommend more frequent payments of subscriptions. We must express our gratitude to collectors for their labours in the past year and also to the Honorary Auditors of the books and accounts, Messrs Hayles ant! Lynch. In conclusion, the writer would comment upon the late date of the Annual General Meeting this year. This is on account of the large number of outstanding subscriptions showing on the 31st March, the amount totalling to approximately £45. Scarcely any of the subscriptions for the last period of the year were at that time collected by collectors, this, no doubt, being an oversight. It was recognised that it would be much better to defer closirg off of books until the outstandings were reduced somewhat. They have now been brought down to £26 16s 9d; the greater part is accountable to country members who will doubtless make it their business to remit their dues earlier in future.” The report and balance sheet, showing an amount of £24 15s 2d, cash on hand, and £2B 9s 9d, current dues uncollected, were adopted. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—Chairman, Mr F. C. Pedler; vice-chairman, Messrs W. H. Dunnage, H. P. McClutchy, P. R. Miller, J. Barnett, committeemen to represent Traffic Branch: Messrs F. J. Raines D. Mahony, A. (J. Cockroft, T. Miller and L. M. Whelan. Committeeman to represent Locomotive Branch, Mr F. M. Arthur; committeemsn to represent Stores Branch; Mr V. McDermott; secretary, Mr A. HL Dowall; treasurer, Mr A. Hayles; auditors:—Messrs J. 18. Lynch and H. W Grant; trustees, Messrs F. J. Raines and T. Miller. The retiring chairman stated that they had had a fairly strenuous year but the work done had been very satisfactory and he thanked members for their co-operaticn and the work.

A vote of thanks to the retiring chairman was carried by acclamation on the motion of Mr Pedler. The honorarium for the offices of secretary and treasurer was fixed at 15 per cenlT of the dues collected, the- amount to be divided between tho two officers. The sum of £lO was voted to the executive in Wellington.