DISSATISFACTION FIFE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14453, 27 May 1911, Page 7

DISSATISFACTION FIFE.

AMONG RAILWAY SERVANTS. MR MACK'S VIEWS. A special meeting of members of 4he Timaru branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants was held in the Railway" Library, when there were' between thinv and foitv preseni, Mr T. Graham being in the chair.. Mr M. J. Mack, general secretary of tile Society, was present and gave a. lengthy address on what tho socio *y were doing for the betterment of the conditions under which tho railwaymen work. He pointed out that dissatisfaction was rife in the Service owing to the continued unfulfihueno of promises made bye the Hon. Minister lor Railways, and the employment of spies to break the Departments own regulations and if possible induce members of the railway service to be dishonest. Tho suspension of members of the servioe for undue lengths of time was also referred to, the speaker mentioning a case that occurred not fax from Timaru, where two men had boon .suspended for eight weeks, and had not even then received word as to their punishment or otherwise, hut, when he aj>proaehed the management on their behalf,- instructions were issued fox them to start work at once. Their suspension was due to alleged misconduct while off duty, -and' not with negartl Ho the propar fulfilment of «-lu>ir duties. Their duty to the department was not questioned, still tney were (uspanded from duty, for xuis umroe lengrn of time. Ho gave instances of the good work being done by the Society in rectifying grievances in all branches of the service, and the steps they had! taken in getting legal opinions on several regulations issued by the department, which were, not consistent with the Act. Several questions were asked and answered at the conclusion of the address. Mr T. G. Watson, in moving a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Sir Mack as general secretary eulogised the good work he was doing, and the able manner in which he carried ont his duties to the Society. The vote was carried! with great enthusiasm. Mr Mack suitably acknowledged the compliment, and: a successful meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.