THE RAILWAY EMPLOYEES AND THE COMMISSIONERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume L, Issue 4871, 17 June 1890, Page 3

THE RAILWAY EMPLOYEES AND THE COMMISSIONERS.

WELLINGTON, June 16. The oxeccMve of tho Amalgamated Bailway ServanU waited on the Commissioners this morning. Tho pre«idont, referring to tho popular impression that the delegates would be marked men, said " thoy relied on tho honour of tho Commissionors." After a lengthy discussion tho Commissioners agreed to receivo complaints' from tho employees which might be roado through tho ehannsl of the executive. Tbo deputation said this was all they anked on this point, and thanted tho Commissioners for their decision. Tho question of boy labour waa then gono into, tho deputation pointing out that the numbor of cadets taken on -was greatly m eicens of the vacancies, and m tho mechanical department lads wcro not taught their trades proporly, and m somo coses as soon as a boy had finished his apprenticeship he was distrusted. The commissioners promised to take tho wholo question into consideration, and giyo tho eipcutivo a roply m wriUnu, Thoy nl»o ngrcpd that where poesiblp shunters should bo over 21 years of ago. Tbo conference then a-ijourncd till 3 o'clook. At 3 p m. the conference rjßumod, nnd tlio wholo of tho afternoon was occupied m considering tho hourn of labour. Mr Sfrbao explained that tho men desired that tlio eigiit hours svstcm should bo obsorvoci on tho railway #s ;n othor trades, lime to bo counted from tho mouunt a man went on duty, whether ho was continually at work or oofc. Hpccinl stress was laid on tho on»n «f tlio engin* drjvors, who wcro ofton on duty 12 or 14. hours nor (iay. The comini;siinors pointed out Mint it wo» aloiost impracticable to liivvollio ejfjht hours jnyricuj m fp/c'O with ongino drivers, and if

i overtime were paid, men m chargo of coun- ; try trains (although not continuous at wcrk) i would bo m receipt of a higher rate of pay I than tho man who would drive tho express train for eight hours at a stretch, i Mr McKerrowreinaikedthat if the sociotj '» i demand* m regard to the drivers and firemen wore accedod to and 8 hours wore rigidly onforced tho cost of working the railways would bo increased fully £50,000 per annum. At present the railways wore not yielding sufficient to pay tho interest at Home, and therefora tho eocioty must remember that the £50,000 would hava to come off the settlers by taxation. The deputation expressed a hope that an amicable arrangement would be come to, and at 5 15 the conference was adjourned till 11 a.m. to-morrow, wlion the question of the ecalo of pay will be considered.