ENGINE-DRIVERS' DEMANDS

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 13673, 6 May 1912, Page 5

ENGINE-DRIVERS' DEMANDS

HON. LAURENSON INTERVIEWED.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 3. A deputation from the Engine Drivers’ Federation waited upon the Minister for Labour (Hon. Geo. Laurenson) to-night and laid before him a number of requests in regard to the Inspection of Machinery - Act and other matters. Mr. Laurenson, in reply, said that he had a difficult task to fulfil, standing as he did between engineers who wished tlieir privileges conserved and the enginedrivers who wished to improve their positions. With respect to the request for power for the association’s representatives to visit engine rooms, he would rather have extra inspectors employed, as it had been found that any man having authority I from a. Government department, but not under the control of the Department, was appointed to ran away with them. Tho head of the Department had reported against any narrowing down of the definition of “effective emerge," but ho would consider the matter and see what could be done. The presence in the examina- , tion room of a representative of any body, j mem tiers of which were being examined, I was liable to cause a great deal of friction. The request that there should be j a weekly day of rest had bis entire symi [lathy and if he could do anything to : promote that end he would. Something ! might he done such as they bad done on the Lyttelton Harbour Hoard in the way of giving special holiday leave. 1) seemed to him reasonable that the holder of. a river engineer's certified to should he deemed to be tho holder of u first-class shore eertifieato. Their requests that drivers with four years’ service should bo allowed to sit for an engineers’ certificate was to nis mind the most important they had brought forward. Something should, if possible, be done to allow a. maw to rise above his present position. He would i consider the question of a uniform ticket I f' ,r under-drivers, but be did not wish to i interfere with the local government which i controlled this matter. The request for i steam time ’ appeared to him to be more ! within the province of the Arbitration ! ■ Court. : Mr. Read replied that they had tried i the Arbitration Court and could get no ■ sa.olfaction. In a recent award it appeared as if the Court considered that engine-drivers were different from , other flesh and blood. “We feel very strongly on this matter and we are going to have it. The Minister advised Mr. Rend to speak with more moderation. After being assured that the remainder of the requests would be considered, the j deputation withdrew.