WANT NO "MERIT OR DEMERIT."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1231, 13 September 1911, Page 4

WANT NO "MERIT OR DEMERIT."

CHBISTCHUECH TEAM MEN. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, September 12. - At a public meeting convened by the Christchurch Tramway Employees' Union and held to-night, the Tramway Board's merit and demerit system was discussed. Some ludicrous examples- of the operation of the system were cited by the secretary of tho union, and the following motion was carried unanimously:—"That this meeting is of opinion that the merit and demerit system in force on the Christchurch tramways should be abolished." Another motion was proposed as folIows; "That,'in tho event of the Tramway Board declining to remedy the men's grievances by abolishing the merit and demerit system, the Tramway Employees' Union take steps to move organised labour lo ask Parliament to amend the Tramways Act so as to render it impossible for such a system to continue." An amendment was proposed by llr. P. R. Cooke, of the Socialist party, \o the effect that the Tramway Employees' Union should join the New Zealand Jicdcration of Labour (miners and shearers). This was ruled out of order as being a ma.itcr to be dealt with solely by tho union. This led to considerable disorder, in the midst of which the motion was put, and was declared carried by tho chairman.