REPLIES TO THE TRADES' AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11484, 17 January 1903, Page 8

REPLIES TO THE TRADES' AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

The follow in i,' replies have been received to the circular sent out by the Canteroury Trades' and Labour Council: — MR MORGAN. Mr A. IS. Morgan says: —1. I am not in favour of purchasing the present companies' plant, but will not pledge myself in this respect, as it may become necessary in the interests of the general public to make some arrangements with the piesent companies. 2. Although I am in favour of the construction and management of the tramways by the Board on behalf of the municipalities, I cannot bind myself absolutely in tn'2 matter. 1 wish ail"available iuicrmation on the various .systems and cost of installing and running, the same to 'be obtained and put before the public; also the advice of a first-class expeit. I will further support a poll of the electors being first taken as to whether or not they will authorise the Beard to borrow the necessary amount for construction. This question will therefore still bo left in the hands of the electors to decide for themsslves.

3. I believe in the workmen's .lioiirs bein,,' limited to eight per day, with a. weekly half-holiday, and one whole day's rest timing the week. The wages should be those fixed by the Arbitration Court or Conciliation Board. If the present high cost of living, etc., continues until the work is commenced, I think that 8s per day for unskilled workmen is a fair wage, provided he is a thoroughly competent man lor his work. Provided a. Unionist is as good and able ;v man as v non-Unionist, I tnink the former should have the preference. 4. Yes; provided as yood ail aj tide can be manufactured in New Zealand at the same, or even a slight increase in price, and that no delay in the work of construction is occasioned. 5. This question is too vague. The Board must surely be allowed to judge tlie matter for itself. MR RICHARDSON. Mr J. Richardson, in his reply, points out that the Board was created for'the purpose of installing the electrical system, but in view of existing concessions it may be necessary for the Board to negotiate with the ooiupanies, but in the ev*>ut of any definite proposals being arrived at, they should be referred to the pe-ople, with whom the filial acceptance will rest. He believes in the use of colonial goods m preference to imported goods provided they ara equal in quality and price. Regarding the labour conditions, Mr Rieha«l*jn believes in carrying out the award's made by the Arbitration Court, and generally gives his assent to the questions asked. MR W. REECE. Mr Recce in his reply writes: — 1. The Board cunnot proceed with its 'business until it has arranged with the holders of existing concessions, and it must be trusted to riiake the best terms in the interests of the citizens. It is not likely to load the undertaking by purchasing materials of a useless "churacter. 2. My views have already been published. I am in favour of municipal ownership and control. 3. and 5. I take it that it will be the d-uty of the Board to p-laoe every facility in the wav of the largest possible number of contractors who nuay desire to tender for the supply of eiectriciu plant, rolling stock, €t«., not only with a view of obtaining a low price, but much valuable information. Therefare, in my opinion, it would be suicidal to place the stipulations contained in your letter in tlia conditions of tender; firstly, bscausa very few would care to tender; secondly, because labour is protected by the Conciliation and Arbitration Acts, and the different unions concerned will very properly see that extractors comply with the law in the matter <M the adjustment of wages, etc. In the case of unskilled labour being employed, thw Board may tve trusted to act justly, giying full vauie for each kind of work performed. 4. Yes) when adapted to the purpose, but it would be very unwise to advoeata experiment in opposition to proved experience in connection with much oi the plant required. MR SORENSEN. Replying to the circular, Mr Sorensen says:— 1. I regard the plant of the present companies as cut of date, and of sitia.l value to fcho Board. But as thtro is y> balance oi lea.s-s; which vriL have to be purchased, it will probably be r.ei't'vsary also to obtain some of the ears, etc. Tha pi :te, however, must bsj nominal. 2. Yt. u . I will do my uUnost to got tha tram lines lad us speedily as possible on the most up-'o-o-ii.tti lines, to \>i run by the nmnicipa.itic?. 3. (aj i"c». Eight hours a day is sufficient for any" man to work, (b) 1 object to Sunday work, exctpt it ia absolirie'.y necessary. If the workmen want a half-holiday and hi paid for six days, 1 exps-ct them to rnaks up the timj the same as they do in the big workshops, either by startuii; half an hour earlier or by having half an hour at midday only, and stopping'at ons on the half-holiday, (c) Whatever the ruling wagts cure should be paid, and the unskilled labour to good men Bα is a fair pay. (d) The men equally gjood, I have no objection to the union clause. 4. I think the material should be purchased in the colony wlkiv possible even it a higher price is paid, so that the difference is net tix> great. I would always prefer the colonial in tide. 5 The question of doing the work by d-.iy labour lam not sure abmit. If the work can be done as. ■efficiently and cheaply. Wing pushed on with speed at ths fame , time, I have no objection thereto, but the wuik must be pushed en. as the present tram >ass; has only 18 montlts to iun, and thsie is no tune for deiay.