RAILWAY OFFICERS' INSTITUTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11671, 11 April 1916, Page 3

RAILWAY OFFICERS' INSTITUTE.

NORTH CANTERBURY BRAMCH. A general meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand : Railway Officers' Institute was held on I Wednesday evening to hear an address by Mr R. O. Morgan, the general secrotary, who was making an official visit to the Canterbury district for the first , time. Mr J. P. Matheson,, chairman of the local branch, presided, arid there was a good attendance of members," representative of every branch of the service. Mr Morgan gave an instructive address detailing many of the benefits that had been obtained as the rssult of the institute's efforts in the past, indicating directions in vrhich it was hoped in time to secure other and more improved conditions of working for the sorvice generally. The speaker illustrated clearly the substantial increases in salary that had been secured by the j lower, grades, and pointed out how I very necessary it was that the execu- j tive should be able to present a solid ! and united front when making repre-1 sentations to the Minister or the official head of the Department in regard ' to service matters. ■ Mr Morgan spoke for an hour, and gave members much information in regard to gue3tions of pay, status, leave and working conditions that, the executive council had in hand on behalf of its members, and, while agreeing that the present war conditions rendered the time inopportune to press, for many reforms and adjustments that were very much needed, he made it clear to the meeting that the executive council was fully; alive to the necessity of keeping the interests of the members of the Railway Officers' Institute* before the powers that be and the publio of New Zealand generally. Mr Kane, vice-president and treasurer to the' executive council, who happened to be in Ohristchurch on*the official business of the Department, also attended, the meeting, and addressed members. Mr Kane 'threw light on the methods and work of ' the executive council, and for the information of younger members spoke on the conditions existing in the service for some years past, and strongly urged that every member of the first division of the service should take a live and active interest in the-work of the institute. . ' Messrs Morgan and Kane invited and answered a number of questions on natters of interest to members, and thoir answers were aparently ' considered' satisfactory. Among other hings, it was mentioned that ,themembenhip ;of the " institute was' approaching '"' a total of '2400, and that only twenty-rfive members, of th» first division, of the New Zealand railway service we're non-members of the institute. - . ' .' : It was mentioned by-Mr Kane that the funds were in a sound and healthy condition, and the desired reserve of £IOOO which the executive council had" been aiming to acquire for some .years had been exceeded, and it was now aiming to reach the £2OOO figure." 8 The chairman expressed the appreciation of the branch to Messrs Morgan and Kane for their visit, and the infoTniation imparted' to members, and expressed the- hope that it would he the forerunner of further and frequent visits of the official heads of the institute to branches. Mr J. L. Morgan moved' a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Kane and Morgan for their able and interesting addresses, and in a few congratulatory remarks expressed the entire confidence in the executive council that existed throughout the Canterbury district. The motion was carried by acclamation.