RAILWAY SERVANTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6831, 19 April 1890, Page 4

RAILWAY SERVANTS.

GRIEVANCES AT LYTTELTON,

Last night a meeting of the Canterbury Branch of the Railway Servants' Society of New Zealand was held in tbe Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton. The President, Mr Hoban, occupied the chair, and the hall was packed, there being a large number of wharf labourers present.

The meeting was called in response to a requisition from tbe Lyttelton employees to discuss and take action in connection with a number of grievances which had arisen at Lyttelton during the past live or six days-

The Chairman stated that the railway servants intended to join the Maritime Council as soon as tho matter could be arrnngod. (Cheers.) The real object of the meeting was to enquire into tbe removal of some old hands, men who, though getting advanced in years, were perfectly able to do their work in a proper manner, and he hoped they would not be personal in their remarks, but speak as moderately as possible, and get at tbe bottom of the grievances.

The Secretary read a resolution carried at a special meeting of the Branch, to the effect that nothing decided at the meeting affecting the whole of the Branch would be carried into effect until approved of by a properly- convened meeting of the Branch. A member said some few weeks ago the stationmaster was taken ill, and the chief clerk was appointed to act. On the following day an officer came down from Christchurch and took charge. In the course of a'-^ay or so several men were discharged. The^ were old men, but the work they were doing! they could do as well as anyone, the taking off and rolling-up of waggon sheets. Another matter was the removal of a man named Loder, who was crippled in the employ of the railway. He was engaged in oiling the points, and had been removed. He could do tho work as well as anyone. A man named Houston, a permanent hand, had been that day discharged without a moment's notice. Other old and valued servants were being quietly shunted, and cadets put in their places. It had often been asked, " What shall we do with our boys ?" That was all very well, but what were they going to do if the bread-winners were discharged ? Matters in Lyttelton had been in such a state since Mr Bradley's absence that he felt sure the whole of the Lyttelton men would take any necessary action. (Cheers.)

Another member suggested that the whole of the men refuse to work.

The rule of the Society relating to strikes was read.

Another member proposed — "That a petition be got up and forwarded direct to the Railway Commissioners, asking for tho immediate removal of two men indicated, in consequence of their arbitrary conduct in dealing with a number of the employees. The petition, when_„ signed, to be sent through the Society.""' (Cheers.)

The seconder remarked that particular stress should be laid on the question of boy labour.

Another member asked that the fact of all these changes being effected in the absence of the stationmaster should be kept in view.

Another speaker said that, as matters stood at present, their billets were not worth- sixpence.

After some further discussion the motion was altered as follows : — "That the President and Secretary be appointed to interview the Traffic Manager, stating full particulars of the grievance in Lyttelton, and requesting him to reinstate those men who have been discharged by the acting officers, and failing a satisfactory result that a petition be 6ent from the Lyttelton men to the Commissioners direct, through the Executive Committee, for tbe removal of the officers in question and the reinstatement of tho men discharged or disrated."

The motion was then put and carried, every man in the hall voting for it amid cheers, which were renewed when the Chairman declared the result.

A member asked if the question of the hours the men worked could be discussed.

The Chairman stated what was being done by the Society. A; .'Committee was then formed to draw •upthe petition if it was. found necessary. 'V The President of the Wharf Labourers' Union stated that a special meeting of their Union was called for the following night, at which they intended to carry a resolution supporting the Railway Union in anything they might do in this matter. (Loud cheers.)

After a vote of thanks had been passed to the Chairman the meeting terminated.