ARBITRATION REJECTED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1217, 28 August 1911, Page 5

ARBITRATION REJECTED.

« AUCKLAND TRAM MEN'S DECISION. (By Telecraph.—Special Oorrcsnondent.l Auckland, August 2G. A ballot of members of tho Auckland Tramways Union was taken at tho Bams yesterday on tha proposal to cancel Ike the registration of/the union cancelled, dustrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Tin; resnlt was in i'avoui of_ cancellation by 28t votes to 63. .Application will now bo made on the prescribed form to have th eregistration of tho union cancelled. A petition praying for separation from tho New Zealand Tramways' Federation was nlso submitted to tho men, and 295 signatures wero recorded in favour of tho proposed step. Speaking to a "Star" representative this morning an official of tho Tramways Union remarked that the men's decision, was in every way satisfactory. They had boon told by the president of the Arbitration Court that they had reached high-water, mark as far as wages wore concerned and the men realised that they had nothing further l'o expect from tho Court. ,It was a significant fact that all advances in wages so far had bcon received by agreement with the employer and not' through tho Court. Having cast off the trarhmels of tho Court they still had the same privilege of meeting their employers and exhausting all conciliatory means before resorting to sterner methods, such as a strike. One of the company's oldest employees had given it as his opinion that the dismissal of Motorman Carter' for a trivial oflenco in April last was one of the prime factors in bringing about the secession from tho Arbitration Act. Twelve months ago the man lrho advocated 6uch a proposal in tho union would havo been scouted, but as' the voting showed the feeling was now almost 'unanimous in favour of separation. In Carter's enso, had tho union not been tied down under the Act the men would havo left their work to get him reinstated. From - now on their actions wore free,