RAILWAY WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1916, Page 2

RAILWAY WORKERS.

NEW PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, was held in the Railway Social Hall yesterday. Mr. C. A. Edwards, the branch chairman, presided over a large attendance of members. The election of officers for the ensuing term resulted as follows: Chairman, E. MeFarlane; vice-chairman. F. Reed; treasurer, J. Cammock (reelected); secretary, S. G. Smith (reelected); executive committee, Messrs. Thomson, Darney, Mack, Nisbet, Key, Pellew, Londrum, Brown, Anderson, Kecgan. Gore, Ennis, Knight, and Demehy; auditors, Messrs R. H. Duller and C. A. Edwards. It was decided to circulate subscription list in aid of the widow and family of the late Ganger Baxter, of Greymoutb. One member, in tendering his resignation, wrote 'that owing to the present high cost of living it was impossible for him to maintain his wife and family on the poor rate of pay paid by the Department, and he was compelled to seek more remunerative employment elsewhere. The resignation was accepted and the branch offered its heartiest good wishes to the member in bis new sphere of labor. Considerable discussion took place on the proposal of a sister branch that steps should be taken to ascertain the feelings of lticmbers of the service on the question of seeking an award to govern Oie rates of pay and general service conditions, ami ultimately it-was resolved that whilst intensely disappointed at the lack of consideration shown by the Department during the present crisis, 'this branch would not favor any proposal to seek an award under the Arbitration Court, as we have no confidence in the Court as at present constituted. The secretary was ins-iructed to forward to Mr. Okey, M.P., a tabulated list of punishments meted out to members, as showing the basis of protests against the severe ami unwarranted punishments now being inflicted in 'the service. A vote of sympathy was recorded exGanger McGlone. who has resigned from the service in consequence of the hard treatment he had received at the hands of the iii'.imigemcnt. It was unanimously resolved to again protest against 'the inaction of the. Government in setting up the Board of Trade or investigation that had been authorised by the !ast session of Parliament.