RAILWAY REFORMS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144085, 2 May 1913, Page 4

RAILWAY REFORMS.

PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Kay 1. The current number of the Railway Advocate contains a short account of the proceedings of the conference which 'took place on Monday between the,Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, and the whole of the local members of the executive committee of the first division of the service.

Mr. Young, the president, asked the Minister if he would place railway officers on the same footing as other branches of tho public service as regards leave, Sunday duty, payment for overtime, and travelling allowances. Mr. Herries replied that the amended regulations were in course of preparation, and that they would be modelled as far as possible on those recently gazetted under the Public Service Act. The Minister further stated that when tho compilation of the regulations was completed the executives of tho three railway societies would he given an opportunity of perusing them, and, if necessary, be granted a further conference with himself regarding them. In reply to Mr. Young’s question concerning the schedule of pay to be provided under the proposed now Act, the Minister said that it would certainly bo an improvement upon the present schedule, and he would try and have it brought into line with the public service schedule. With-regard to the request ro 1) 3 tags, Mr. Herries informed tho deputation that the correspondence on the matter was being referred to responsible officers for report, with instructions to obtain the opinion of tho Crown Law Officers. A definite reply would be furnished as early as possible. Consideration of matters under tho heading of reconstitution of the Appeal Board, delay in hearing appeals, and positions for those reduced in status was promised. With reference to the classification of certificated officers of tbo Lake Wakatipu service, Mr. Merries pointed out that the matter had been adjudicated upon so far as D 3 for 1012 was concerned, and the alteration required in the Act, to finally settle this long-standing trouble would be made this session. The Minister took particular notice of the statements and suggestions- for tho formation of the board to deal with tho matter of promotion in service and staff matters generally, and asked to be supplied with further details concerning the proposals.