SECOND EDITION. N.Z. RAILWAYS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14218, 16 February 1914, Page 7

SECOND EDITION. N.Z. RAILWAYS.

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS 1 OUTLINED. SPEECH BY THE MANAGER. j A TRIBUTE TO SIR JOSEPH WARD. (Bv Telegraph. — Special to Herald.) WELLINGTON, February 16. Addressing a banquet attended by the | Amalgamated Society of Railway Ser- ■ vants’ delegates from all parts of New j Zealand, Mr Hiley, General Manager o! , Railways, was more communicative thr.n j he has previously been on anv public '<•- easion. He outlined an iiiiporta.it psoposal regarding employees - inventions, a ini gave the past management iino.nalit.cd praise regarding the upkeep of the rolling stock and the substantial character o! the permanent way. The Society’s President (Mr M ilsoui paid a cordial tribute to Sir Joseph Ward’s work for railwaymen during 1 his term in Ministerial office. They owed to

him the superannuation scheme, and the minimum waje for married men. The service had got from him more than from ordinary politicians —a patent hearing. He met their suggestions in every way possible. Railway men now wanted, not as a privilege, but as their right, full civil and political liberty. Sir Joseph Ward prophesied that before 15 years were over the railway service, aiming at the extension of lines and expansion business, would grow to 30,000 men. He gave details of the increases of pay during his control, applause greeting his figures. It was announced by Mr Hiley. amid great applause, that he would establish a Suggestion Board, composed of departmental heads, to consider all ideas put forward by railwaymen for economies in working and inventions, all of which he would see personally. He did not say lie

would not turn down a good few, but lie would send the promising ones to the Board to bp looked into and cai*'ed nut if practicable. Men could send ideas confidentially, and he would assist them in the difficult process of taking out patents. He had been reproached for not speaking of the alterations which would be made in the railways. He used the word “alterations” advisedlv, because he noticed paragraphs hinting- at what were called reforms. He objected to this word. It implied a slur on the past management, which was entirely unjustifiable. Innovations must be introduced which were not commercially practicable in the baby stage. He was glad to he reminded by Sir Joseph Ward’s speech that he formerly favoured a loan for railway development', and he could rely on his co-operation in the House is another loan was wanted.