STRIKE COMMITTEE MEETS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1352, 1 February 1912, Page 6

STRIKE COMMITTEE MEETS.

COAL SUPPLIES TO BE CUT OFF. STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN. At the meeting in the King's Theatre in tho afternoon, the following were appointed [ft act at a Strike Committee:— Messrs. \V. T. Young (Seamen's Union), 1 ,, . Kcyling (secretary of the Trades Council), "\V. Noot (vice-president of tho Trades Council), V. HicUey (New Zealand federation of Labour), M. .1. Reardou (general secretary Labourers' Union),R. S. Rosh ("Maorilaud Worker"), P. Muir (Tailors' Union), 1). Illackie (Drivers' li'nion), U. Parland (Waterside Workers' Union), E. J. Carey (Cooks' and Waiters' Union), and the Executive. Committee of the Tramways Union. The Strike Committee held its first meeting last, evening, when Mr. W. T. Young was elected chairman, Mr. A. Sutherland secretary, ami Mr. 1". Reyling treasurer. It was resolved to give the proas the fullest information with regard to the strike, and as a first insfidme.ut the chairman mado a lengthy statetnont: of tho caio for the uniou, remarking that it was desired, to place the facts before the

public. A manifesto is also heins; drafted, for distribution. "Prepared for an Indefinite Struggle." When the meeting rose; the chairman nnt tliu situation before u representative of Tin: .Dominion. "It is well to make clear tho fact," slid Mr. You n<;, "(lint I here is only one point landing between tne convenience (if the public and the tninnviiy men, and thai is (he ea-e of Inspector Fuller. There must be something radically wrong when a line 'xiily ot men, ot good character, and diligent in the fulfilment of their duties sliuuhl come lo a unanimous decision that Inspector Fuller mu>t bo transferred from his present- position. Compare that attitude with the attitude adopted by (lie men towards the other inspectors, who have faithfully carried out their duties .since the inception of the system in 10M. "Hero is another point. Some twelve, months ago the tramwaymen asked for the removal of Inspector Fuller for the same reasons as prompted their latent action." Inspector Bonsfield. Continuing, Mr. Young referred to the case of another, inspector against whom tho men had had grievances some years ago. As the result of an agitation, lie (the speaker) had headed a large deputation of tramwaymen which waited upon the Works Committee of the City Council, and demanded, not that this" inspector should bo transferred, as was the request of the union with respect to Fuller, but that he should he dismissed. Mr. J. G. W. Aitken was Mayor at tho time, and the result of tho interview was that, after investigation by tho council, the man had to go. A few months ago the tramway men had reported certain grievances re Fuller to tho Mayor, and again requested his transfer to another department. . The conclusion arrived at by tuc> Tramways Committee, which considered the matter, was in favour of the request being acceded to. It was a. fact that in tho interval between the presenting of the request and its consideration by the Tramway Committee, Inspec-

tor Fuller was "stood down" for eom« days. It was subsequently alleged by the train way authorities that Fuller had been granted his holiday leave, but tho fact oi the matter was that Fuller had just had his holidays before being stood down. The speaker then reviewed the history of the case from the publication of Mr. Stuart Richardson's confidential report on Inspector Fuller's ease in the" public press up to th'e present time and pointed out that the union had given every ionsideration to the public interest by' refraining from holding up the cars (luring tho. Christmas and New Year holidays. Thus far, the adjudicators on the rights and wrongs of the case had been bosses themselves—the councillors. The men, contended Mr. Young, had proffered a fair request for an independent board to hear and determine tho matter, as had been done in Auckland in 1908, and 'the withdrawal of the powers of adjudication from the bosses. The City Council had challenged the union, and the uuion had taken up tho challenge.

Coal Supplies to be Tied Up, "The men have decided not to wait the fourteen days, and so give the enemy a chance to train its guns on our. forts." The vote on the quesCion of "downing tools" at once, continued Mr. Young, was taken in the afternoon, and every man exercised his vote.in favour of "downing tools" at once. "During my experience in the labour movement, I haye never seen such unanimity and determination shown in tho cause of justice and right. "It has also been decided now to hang up the coal supply for all the corporation departments, including tho supplies for the electric light department', the powerhouse, and the destructor. Tho men on the wharf will absolutely refuse to work coal to be used by tho corporation. The drivers will refuse to cart the coal, and, if. need be, the seamen will refuse to transport it. Wo have made up our minds, that Fuller has got to go, and the City Council can churn the matter over as they think fit, but till they churn it over in the direction we wish, "the wheels of the tramway service will cease to revolve. "If need be." added Mr. Young, "we will ask the Miners' Federation to tie up (ho Dominion co;il supply. We have two federations of labour in X«iv Zealand, but whatever their differences these, have been sunk in n common caitsu—Hits tramwaymon's. We arc prepared for an indefinite struggle. If the council is a wise lwdy of men it will dump its dignity to t.h'o bottom of its pocket and transfer Fuller in the iiileriats of the public undnrUiking, Mini tlw whole community. The powerhouse, men down tools at mid-night." The Men and Their Supporters. A mass tneeting-tbo first of four demonstrations-;;, to be held at Xewtown Park at two clock this afternoon, when speeches will be delivered. CHRiSTCHUnciTTnAMWAYMEN, A RUMOUR CONTRADICTED. ■Bs Telozraph-Preas Association.! Christchurch, Januarv 31. The secretary of the Christchurch Tramways linion (Mr. J. Young) states that there is no foundation for the statemene tnat the union here will give .£2(10 to assist the Wellington men. The matter has not so far been considered hv the loca union, but it will no doubt b'n discussed at a meeting which is to. bo held on Friday next. THE AUCKLAND MEN. STATEMENT BY MR. ROSPER, (IST Telegraph-Press Association.) Auckland, January SI. Hie secretory of Ihe Auckland 'Tramways Union (Mr. Uosser) .state? that tho local tramway men are not likely to conic out in sympathy with tho Wellington men unless Uie. Fcdelation of Lubonr takes the Wellington muu'c- affairs in Jiajid, m<l icts for Uiem,