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1893. NEW ZEALAND.

CONFERENCE ON THE RAILWAY EMPLOYES INSURANCE BILL (RETURNS RELATIVE TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated Ist August, 1893. Ordered, " That a return be laid before this House showing, in separate columns—(l) The names of delegates attending the recent Conference on the Bailway Employes Insurance Bill; (2) the number of employes on the various sections represented by such delegates ; (3) the dates upon which notices were issued inviting employes to meet and select such delegates ; (4) the number of employes present at such meetings when delegates were elected; (5) the total cos,t of Conference to the country, including salaries and wages payable to delegates while absent from duty."—(Mr. J. W. Kelly.)

The Eailway Commissioners have no information which would enable them to comply fully and definitely with parts 2, 3, and 4 of the order, but have communicated with the employes at whose instance the Conference was held, and attach a summary of the replies received. 1. Names of delegates : Auckland—H. Pearse, Yard Foreman; Napier—P. L. Payne, Stationmaster, Danevirke; Hawera —C. F. Hill, Stationmaster, Hawera; Palmerston North—E. McKenna, Stationmaster, Palmerston North ; Wanganui—C. A. Marcus, Stationmaster, Wanganui; Wellington (Traffic) —T. E. Donne, Stationmaster, Wellington; Whangarei—T. E. Donne, Stationmaster, Wellington; Westport—T. E. Donne, Stationmaster, Wellington; Wellington (offices) —J. McLean, Accountant's Office, Wellington ; Greymouth —J. Gray, Traffic Inspector, Christchurch; Christchurch —J. Gray, Traffic Inspector, Christchurch; Christchurch—J. A. Efford, Carpenter, Addington; Timaru—W. C. Burd, Clerk, Timaru; Oamaru—W. Cairns, Signalman, Oamaru ; Dunedin—L. J. Stuart, Permanent-way Storeman, Dunedin ; Nelson—L. J. Stuart, Permanent-way Storeman, Dunedin ; Dunedin —W. F. Sligo, Night Foreman, Locomotive Department, Dunedin; Dunedin—J. Austin, Guard, Dunedin ; Invercargill—A. C. Barlow, Clerk, Invercargill; Wellington (Workshops, &c.) —T. B. Barrer, Fitter, Wellington. 2. Number of employes on the various sections represented by such delegates. 3. Dates upon which notices were issued inviting employes to meet and select such delegates. 4. Number of employes present at such meetings when delegates were elected ; — [Summary of replies received to inquiries through district officers.] Kawakawa Section. —Not represented ; but all employes express themselves in favour of the Bill. Whangarei Section. —Eleven represented. Bequisition to the delegate was passed round. Kaihu Section. —Not represented. Auckland Section. —Two hundred and twenty-three represented. Employes were notified on Bth July that Conference was to be held ; delegate was chosen by means of voting-papers; and a large meeting, held at Auckland on 12th July, approved of action taken. Napier-Taranaki Section. —Napier District: Sixty-five represented; notices issued 12th July ; forty at meeting. Hawera District: Notices issued 12th July ; thirteen at meeting. Wanganui District: Notices issued 12th July; eleven at meeting, Palmerston North District: Notices issued 17th May and 14th June; fourteen at meeting. Wellington Section. —Sixty-three represented ; circular inviting nominations issued 14th July ;. no meeting. Workshops : Delegate elected by meeting held 17th July. Picton Section. —Not represented. Nelson Section. —Twenty-six represented ; meeting held on 15th July; twenty-two present. Westport Section. —Forty-seven represented; notices issued 22nd June ; forty present. Greymouth Section. —Manager requested delegate to act; majority of men approve course adopted. Hurunui-BlujJ Section. —Canterbury District: Five hundred and fifty-one represented; Christchurch delegates chosen by committee appointed by large meeting, which committee was confirmed in office by another meeting of about seventy; Timaru delegate chosen by meeting of twenty.