The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1911. THE TRAMWAYS TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1322, 28 December 1911, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1911. THE TRAMWAYS TROUBLE.

The tramway cniplo,yccs"arc'to be congratulated on having even at this late hour adopted a, course which thej should have pursued at the outset. Their threat to go out on strike, and, so far as lay in their power, inconvcnicucc the whole of the public of Wellington by preventing the working of the tramways, was a grossly unwarranted attempt at intimidation. There are occasions, as \vc have pointed out, when men may be driven as a last resort to the extreme step of refusing to work, and for ourselves wo believe that it is only proper that the men should possess this right. It is their strongest weapon, but it is a very dangerous one to use, and should only bo used in extreme case's and after everv other means to secure, a fair and reasonable settlement of grievances lias lailcd. J.n the present case tno Tramways Union were no doubt encouraged by: the weak pandering ot certain members of the City Council into adopting extreme measures detrimental to the city's interests, and without any real evidence of justification. They did a very wrong thing,, and we arc glad to see that they now recognise, and are prepared to take, the proper course to ventilate what they consider to be their grievance. It is the situation really is. The Citv Council on the casting vote of the Major, decided.to remove from office the evi J'' 5 ' 8 lnßp - C , Ct , o , r who - so fal ' M •othing more than his duty. This step was taken at the demand of the Tramways Inion, the work of whose members ,tis_the duty of the inspecor to supervise. It has been taken n spite of the recommendation of ois the inspector in question the best inspector the service of the city dismissal of-this-inspector, against -whom they proved nothing thkh warranted his dismissal, the tramnn'ft T" thrc ? te ned to strike, appwlemovod trom duty. I n effect, then they were prepared to go the leS ?, incon TC niencinp the whole citv fo ir a fMi Of hun "- V ng thc dismissal 0 to Cmpl^'cc b - v * w «k or w V s £ S! confidence in the City Council K present constituted,Vs a udkhl tcn l \T ] - Ha ?" g clecid «' to Sri nee their cmplovee, Inspect™ t, i.K, on the meredemand of [he tram" afforded an opportunity of at M obtaining an outline n rn •,, asi which the Conn Is o asked Gn t toCo act. Sufficient time shoulc bo allowed the inspector to prepare hi defenc to the charges which may be levelled against him, and he will ,10 do, At safeguard their interests. The lc son should be taken to heart, ancl borne Hi mind when these gentlemen next present themselves for election