TRAMWAYS TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 6, 2 October 1918, Page 7

TRAMWAYS TROUBLE

GOVERNMENT TAKES A HAND

PARTIES INVITED TO CONFER

The Government has at length taken ti hand in the tramways dispute, in an endeavour to looso' tho deadlock at present existing, Tho Acting Prime Minister (Sir James Allen) has, on behalf of the Acting Minister of Labour (Hon. W. H. Herries), written letters to the Mayor on the one hand, and to tho president of tho Tramway's' Union on the other, in which he urges that a conferenco of representatives of the parties shall bo held undr tho presidency of the Conciliation Commissioner to discuss the dispute. . Following are tho letters sont by tho Minister: — To tho Mayor,— "Dear Sir,—ln roferenco to the dispute between tho City Corporation and the Tramway Employees' Union, I re-, grot to learn that there appears at present to be little prospect of an early settlement of this dispute being reached. "It is fully recognised that theso men are working undor an agreement entered into "by themselves with the corporation less than a year ago, tho currency of which agreement does not expire until November, 1919; yet in view of the fact that the cost of living has increased since the agreement was made, and that the men claim that'the working of .the customary overtime-has proved injurious to their health, tho Government considers that in the interests of industrial' peace an effort should be at onco mado to reach a settlement acceptable to both parties. I have accordingly to request that,, say,. throe delegates, from each side, or .such number as may bo agreed upon, should moet under tho presidency of the Conciliation Commissioner for the district,, Mr. W. Newton. "I have communicated. in similar forms with the union, and have, also directed the Conciliation Commissioner to .make such other arrangements as a re'necessary .for the holding of tho conference.' "The -union is being informed that pending tho result of tho conference the men must immediately' resume the full "performance of their duties in the same manner as prior to the occurrence of tho dispute.—Yours faithfully, "(Sgd.) J. ALLEN, "For Acting Minister of Labour." To tho President of the Union,-r----"Dear Sir,—lu reference to the dispute between tho members of your •union and the City Corporation, 1 regret to learn that there appears at present to be little' prospect • of an early settlement of this dispute being reached. ' "It must be recognised that the tramway men are working under an agreement entered into by themselves with the corporation less than a year ..ago,,the currency of which agreement ~does not expire until November, 1919; yet in view, of tho factthat tho cost of living has increased since tho agreement was made, and that tho men .claim that the working of tho customary overtime has proved injurious to their health,' tho Government considers that in tho interests of industrial peace an. effort should he at once made to reach a settlement acceptable to both parties. I havo accordingly to request that, say, three delegates from each side, or such other number as may be agreed upon, should meet under the presidency of the Conciliation Commissioner for the district, Mr. iW. Newton. , .... "I have communicated • m similar terms -with the City Corporation, and havo also directed the Conciliation Commissioner to mako such other arrangements as'are necessary for the holding of the conferenco. "Before the conference is proceeded with, however, it is essential that the men resume tho full performance of their duties in the same manner as prior to the occurrence of tho dispute. I shall he glad to receivo an intimation from yon that tho men will do so — .Yours faithfully, "(vSgd.) J. ALLEN, "For Acting Minister of Labour."