EXPRESS TRAIN GUARDS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1163, 2 November 1917, Page 4

EXPRESS TRAIN GUARDS.

NO MORE FREE MEALS. [From Our Own Parliamentary Reporter.] t WELLINGTON, November 1. ) A belated "replies to questions" '- document was circulated to-day. It J contained nothing of general in- ' terest, with the exception of the J reply of the Hon. \V. H. Herries to ' a question put by Mr T. K. Sidey ask- ( ing (1) Whether the Minister is aware s that the altered train arrangements c have in some respects prejudicially ( affected the position of guards working express trains between Dunedin \ and Kangitata as follows: That \ whereas when two express trains i were running with dining-car at- 1 tached guards worked not more than : nine hours per day, and were allow- ] ed one free meal, and 1/- for an e extra meal; but under existing 1 arrangements guards work over \ fourteen hours, and received no ! allowance for meals. (2) Will the \ Minister state whether these facts J are correct; and, if so, whether he *. does not consider that a little con- ; sideration should be extended to the guards under their altered conditions? : Mr Herries replied: The bringing ] into operation of the curtailed train services necessitated by the exigencies of the war has naturally altered ' the departmental arrangements ob- ? taining under normal circumstances. The week's work for an express or j other guard comprises forty-eight hours, and overtime rales are paid | l for the time in excess of forty-eight hours. With the discontinuance of dining-cars on express (rains any r privileges connected with the dining- f cars ceased, and the department is not prepared to reinstate them, nor to grant to express guards conccssions thai are not enjoyed by the I great bulk of the men performing ' r equally important, but very much more arduous, work. The privilege |j of free meals is open to considerable c abuse, whilst the preferential treatment in favour of a section of the l men would lead to discontent.