RAILWAY MANAGEMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14266, 17 January 1920, Page 5

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT

PjlcN DEP.IAWD A VOICE-

A CLOSED INQUIRY

DEPARTMENTAL IN VEST! GAT LON

(By Telegraph. —Press Association.) " WELINGYUN, c.cu.aiay. Mr Justice bumger, presmem, oi the Kamvay wages Bourn, ..as uecu.en that inquiry nuo wages am. vo.m.uous is w the nature of Lteparuneiuai nu esligation, ana lliai il w.U not be open lu uie Press or public. I lie decision is likely lo cause serious dissatisfaction among railwaymeu, wuo requested that Urn inquiry should be public, on the ground I mil the public, who own the railways and would have lo pay any extra cost of concessions to the employees, have the right to know all the reasons for such charges if increased fares or freights are necessary. This point was raiseu in Parliament last session, when Mr .Massey, as Minister of Railways, staled that if the railwaymeu desired an open inquiry it would be lelt to the Board, and he had no objection to publicity, it also transpires that, although the Government promised each section of railwaymeu a representative on the Board, those representatives who were appointed are not recognised as members of the Board, but arc styled advisory assessors, and/ have no voice in drawing up its findings, this being entirely in the hands of Mr Justice Stringer. The rail way men consider it a breach of faith, and interesting developments are likely to occur when the inquiry resumes onAlonday. It is understood that the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants lias submitted, in response to the Board’s request, a statement of claim including increased wages above those granted as war bonuses, and .made permanent m the recent amendment to the Railway Classification Act, and there is also an interesting demand that the employees should have a voice in railway management and control.