COUNCIL'S LAST WORD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1354, 3 February 1912, Page 5

COUNCIL'S LAST WORD.

THE DAY'S DOINGS. INDEMNITY REFUSED. Tho fallowing statement was niado to tho press by tho Town Clerk after the council rose yestorday evening:— A committco to meet tho men's representatives was set up, consisting of tho Acting-Mayor (Mr. ,T. Smith), and Councillors Fletcher, M'Laron, Shirtcliifo, and Stkinson. The Strike' Committee delegates were Messrs. AV. T. Young, M. J. Iteardon, I'. flickey, and D. Ualton. The- dorannds which the men placod before the council were as follow:— 1. The permanent removal of Inspector Fuller from tho tramways service. > 2. That tho council givo a written undertaking to indemnify against possible legal prosecutions any person involved in the tramways dispute. 3. That the council guarantees that on resumption of work the men involved in this trouble shall not bo subject to victimisation,. but shall continue in their employment as if DO cessation of work had occurred. To these domands tho oouncil, through their delegates, replied as follows:— 1. Tluat, inasmuch as the council had received a communication from Inspector fuller, requesting that ho might bo transferred to some other branch of tho service, they had carried the following resolution, viz.: "That Inspector Fuller be transferred at .his own request to another branch of the service." ASKING FOR MORE. In regard to this matter the Strike Committee delegates asked that the word "corporationV service to inserted, mid tho council's) delegates, while disagreeing with that, promised to place the matter before t'he full council for furtiier consideration. Subsequently they uiu J?ut tlio council declined to admit

the word and allowed the resolution to stand.

In regard to Clause (2) the council decided that it,could not agree to the demaitd in nuy shape or form. Tho moil's delegates then asked that the council's delegates submit to thf council the following suggestion, viz., that tho Acting-Mayor as the intermediary on behalf of the council approach, the authorities and state that tho difficulties in tho matter are questions of law, that the men seemed to be afraid of the law, and that the council, as the citizen's representatives, are desirous of dealing generously in the matter and hope cither tliat no proceedings be taken against them, or tnat the lowest possible penally be asked for. In this respect the council's representatives, whilst stating that they did not consider .there was much prospect of it being accepted, agreed to placo it before the-council." X r pon its 'submission the council unanimously reaffirmed its former decision': that they could not agree to tho clause in any shape or form. As to Clause (3) the council's delegates agreed to this clause, subject to the words after "victimisation" deleted, and the following substituted, v\z.-. "but shall bo Te-engaged in their employment without loss of status." The strike delegates then desired that the word "re-engaged" should be altered to "reinstated" and the council's delegates agreed to recommewj the council to accept, which' tho council subsequently did. In regard to Clause (3), therefore, there was agreement on both sides. "With, regard to Clause (1), it was further resolved by the council that it be an instruction to the electrical engineer, on the settlement of tho dispute, to havo Inspector Fuller placed in a position where he will not have any dealings with members of the Tramways Union. THEY "ACCEPT RELUCTANTLY." The strike delegates carried on thei? deliberations in the Mayor's room, and subsequently they stated they could not see their way to accept tho terms without consulting the other members of the Strike Committeo. They subsequently consulted their fellow members of the committee, and came back stating their willingness to accept reluctantly tho decision. They asked also that they might have the uso of the Conecrt Chamber this evening for a mass meeting of tho men, in-order that tho position might be placed before them for ratification. This request was granted. It was agreed that, after the draft of tho formal agreement had been submitted, the matter be left in tho hands of the delegates to place them before their meeting. If the meeting approved them, and authorised them to sign the draft, it was arranged that they should do so, and hand the signed agreement to the Town Clerk."

SUPPORT WITHOUT AND WITHIN. The council havo received two lotters. One camo from the New Zealand Citizens' Protection League, addressed to the Mayor and councillors in the following terms :— A strong league is being formed to strengthen tho hands of your council in the position you'havo taken up as guardians of tho welfare of tho citizens as a whole. Citizens of almost all classes are joining us. Tho league has determined to do its utmost to obtain tho services of men who will seo this City's Executive through in tho present difficulties. (Signed) Yours faithfully, JAJ'.ES DYKES, Secretary.. The letter was received, and the council ordered that it be acknowledged with ithanks. Anothor lettei; from tho tramways staff, oxclusivo of tho tramwaymen 011 strike, wa.s presented by a deputation of representatives of all branches of the Tramways Department's staff. In effect tho deputation assured tho council of their entire support and loyalty in the position that had arisen, and promised to help in tho maintenance of disciplino. The deputation also expressed sympathy with Inspector Fuller in the trying position in which ho had been placed. Tho letter was signed by 47 members of the various staffs:—The head offico, cash and ticket office, traffic office, power-houte and overhead eriuipmrafc men, and permanent way men were a.ll represented.