MIDNIGHT MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1081, 21 March 1911, Page 4

MIDNIGHT MEETING.

DISSATISFIED TRAMWAY MEN. (By '.Telegraph.—Press Asspciation.) Chrlstchurch, March 20. The dissatisfaction amongst the Tram* way Bo ird's employees'has reached a faiiS ly acute stage, and a. good deal of determination is expressed by the men to have the "roster," or table of duties, altered in a way that will give them better conditions. About one hundred and fifty of them attended a meeting shortly after midnight on Saturday. Owing to the nature of their duties aud (he fact that the trams run from early in tho morning until nearly midnight' every day in the week, the men find it difficult to get all together ciccpt at an. unusual hour. Previously it has been their custom to transact their business in shifts—that is to say, two meetings were held, one in the daytime and one at night, different men attending each. It was necessary to pass motions twice before they were given effect to, and a great deal of old ground had to be gone over again. The pr«ent, position is considered so serious that a. midnight meeting was held on Saturday, and the men, by the large attendance, showed the fooling there is amongst them in regard to tho dispute which has arisen. It is understood that a considerable number of tho men wished reporters to be present at the meeting, in order that tho discussion and tho men's views might 1m placed before the public, who, it is recognised, are real judges between tho two parties. Reporters attended, and a motion was moved and seconded that they should be allowed to remain. A motion asking them to retire, however, was carried, and the reporters withdrew. Tho secretary of the union (Mr. .T. Young), when seen to-day, stated that ho had boon instructed not to supply a report of tho proos<?dings for publication. The feeliug seems to bo that the m«n should go direct to tho ljoard before rushing into print,, and that it will be sufficient time to use tho mcaus of appeal supplied by the press when the board takes up an unreasonable attitude. , Tho chairman stated at the moeting of the Tramway Board to-day that, as far as the board was concerned, no complaints had been received, and if the men had complaints they should bring them before 'the board, and not ventilate them outside.