SNUBBING THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LII, Issue 5169, 16 June 1891, Page 3

SNUBBING THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS.

One of the most objectionable provisions of tho ludustrial Conciliation Bill is Part IV , the object of which is to incorporate tho Amalgamated Society of Bailway Servants, and prectioally to compel the Bailway Commissioners to reoogniae it. The Commissioners have, for good and sufficient reaionn, steadily rofusod to do this, as the society is at presont constituted, and thoso , who remeaibor what took place m connection with tho late striko, acd noted the proceedings at the last meeting of the Society m Christclmrch, will admit that the Commiaoionors have acted rightly and m tbo public interest. Many of tha reasons influencing the I Commissioners are idontical with those which wero alleged by tho Poßtmastor-Genernl, Mr Ward, m justification of his decided refusal to officially recogniae the Telegraph Oflicora' Association, and both refusals are based on preciaely the same principle. But what tho Postmaster Gonersl declinea to do m regard to his own department, Ministers, to mako political capital, desire to legislate to force tho Kailway Commissioners to do, and ns Ihcee gentlemen are not caoily coerced into doing anything they disapprove of, tli9 Bill provides that if they refuse or negloot to agree with the Socioty, composed mainly of their own officers, the latter may petition, the Gonorol Arbitration Court for the district to interfere when any dispute arise?, and tho Court may require tho Commissioners to appear before and submit to it. The whole section appears to be worded m aa purpoaely an offensive manner aa possible towards tho Commissioners, tho evident object being to onub them for the gratification of tho Society. Wo are astonished that any Government should havo brought forward euoli a proposal as is bore embodied, and wo tru?t that Parliament will materially alter, if it does not altogether reject, tho aeotion m question. If thrro are to be Genoral District Courts of Arbitration, there is probably no reason why disputes m the railway aervioe or m any Government dopartrnent should not be submitted to such Courts ; but the Bailway Commissioners should not bo singled out to be placed m an invidious position m the offensive manner proposed m this WAV— Evening Post.