Copy.

N.Z.R.O.I., North Canterbury Branch.

Christchurch, 25/3/39.

To the Executive Committee and all Branch Secretaries.

Special General Meeting–North Canterbury Branch Held 23/3/39.

Dear Sir,

The largest General Meeting of the R.O.I. members ever held in Christchurch gathered to hear J. S. Roscoe's reasons for his action in resigning from the Appeal Board.

At the conclusion of the meeting the following resolutions were carried unanimously:–

(1) That Mr. J. S. Roscoe's action in resigning his position of Division I representative on the Appeal Board at this juncture is approved.

(2) That this branch has full confidence in Mr. Roscoe as Division 1 representative and calls upon him to accept nomination for re-election.

(3) Further, that this Branch Meeting directs that the Executive Committee be requested to make immediate representation to the Minister for Railways for the appointment of an expert Committee vested with the powers of a Royal Commission to inquire into all alleged causes of dissatisfaction with the present staff control and administration–the Committee, after investigation, to report to the Government with a view to amending the Government Railways Act.

The meeting directed that these resolutions be forwarded to Executive Committee and to all Branches and to Press Association.

The suggested composition of the Committee of Investigation was:–

X (a) One or two representatives of Division 1 staff.

X (b) One or two persons with a personal knowledge of railway management problems or wide staff work experience but who are not now associated with the management.

X (c) One prominent public personality with training in business management and economic science, e.g., Mr. G. Lawn, Director and Economist of the Reserve Bank.

As directed by the meeting the above is forwarded for your information and the taking of suitable action.

Fraternally yours,

J. S. Roscoe,

Branch Secretary.

P.S.–Don't let Executive Committee get away with the proposal for a conference with the Management that will produce little more than our annual conference representations.–Please do your best to get a paraphrase of X put through a General Meeting.–We must make the most of the present position.

Best wishes.

Stan R.

Copy.

55 Conway Street,

Christchurch, 31/3/1939.