SOME APPEALS TO THE MAYOR.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1899, 6 November 1913, Page 8

SOME APPEALS TO THE MAYOR.

emZENS' MEETINC. MAYOR UNABLE TO CONCUR,

In connection with an attempt b.v some citizens to effect a settlement of the strike, tho following correspondence passed between the Hon. T. W. Hislop, an ex-Mavor of the city, and t.lio Mayor (Mr. J. f. Luke).—

"Dear Mr. Mayor,—l have no doubtthat you have a very busy timo, and I don't' wish to add to your worries by addressing you. You will have noticed that during the unhappy struggle whioii lias beeti going on, tlie opinion and interests of those not engaged in it, but who are affected by it, have not received ' any consideration. This arises from the difficulty which obtains among so many wild statements mado by parties and the apparent impossibility of agreement as to what has occurred. I have been asked by a number of people who wish well to both sides, and who are, however, mainly moved by consideration for tlie public interest, to submit to you that there should be a public meeting held, at which a statement by somo person or persons not exceeding four in all, should bo made on belialf of tho respective parties, and that a committee of investigation should be appointed to report, so that tho public may have a true statement of tho facts presented to tliem. On belialf of those who liave consulted with mo, I ask you if you will call such a meeting. We think tliero need'bo no misapprehension as to such a meeting, and we wish aft early reply, as our futuro action will depend on your determination.—Yours truly, T. W. Hislop." Tho following requisition • was also forwarded to Mr, Luke:—

"To His Worship tho Mayor, Wellington. Dear Mr, —the undersigned citizens of Wellington, being desirous of aiding in bringing about a settlement of the industrial strife now going on in tho City of Wellington and elsewhere, and believing that tho formation of a further opinion based npon a fill Knowledge of tho circumstances which have brought about tho strife, and which aro preventing its _ being closed, , would be instrumental in ending it, respectfully request you to immediately call a meeting of the portion of citizens who are not contestants with a view to taking such by tho appointment of an investigation committee

or otherwise; to enable tho public to judge-«r tho onuses of tho origin and continuance of a condition which is causing loss to all."

To these Mr. Luke, writing from tho Mayor's room at tho Town Mall on Monday, replied"Dear Mr. Hislop,— value l-our counsel and experience, and would bo pleased to confcr both with you and tho otha? gciiUetno.fi that are interesting themselves us to a basis of settlement ol tho existing industrial trouble, I clc not concur with tho suggestion of a public meeting. It may bo that an interview between us may be beneficial; can you agree tft this as a {irelimina.ry to further action?— Yours truly, John Luke, Mayo h On tho folowing day (Tuesday) Mr. Hislop wrote again to tho Mayor repeating his request for a public meeting. Principals Oftly, A deputation from tho Trades and Labour Council waited on tlie Mayor asking for his co-operation in ft_ movement to review the whole position in connection with tlie strike, and in an endeavour to brin£ about a settlement. His Worship declined to bo associated with any body other than the principals, but expressed his willingness to lend assistance to any conference if he were jointly approached by the employers and tho Federation of Labour. Notifying Hotels. With the aid of Mr, A. M'Bean, of the Clerk's staff, tho .Mayor has been busy during tho last couple of days preparing notices and malting the necessary arrangements for tho closing of howls in any area where occasion demands.