TRAMWAYS CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 56, 29 November 1919, Page 11

TRAMWAYS CONFERENCE

NO AGREEMENT REACHED. ■ , Tlio conference between the owners of municipal and private tramways in New Zealand and representatives of the Tramway Employees' Federation was continued yesterday. Full consideration was given to the couhter-proposals submitted by the owners, much time being, devoted to discussion on tho minimum wage, but the conference failed to come to any agreement. It is likely that ' the employees will now, move to have their case heard by the COurt of Arbitration. Before the conference dispersed yesterday afternoon, Mr. J. Roberts, on behalf of the employees, expressed his very high appreciation of the cordial manner iu which tho negotiations had been conducted. He referred in very eulogistic terms to the capable and effective manner in which the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke) had presided over the proceedings. Tho spirit evidenced 'by Mr. Luke, ho said, had helped very materially to produce good feeling in the conferenc Ho moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded the Mayor, who had filled a very difficult position with credit. On behalf of the employers, the Hon. J. Barr, of Christchurch, supported the resolution, and paid a warm "tribute to tho services rendered by Mr. Luke.

Mr. J. S. Douglas, of ihniedin, also endorsed what the previous speakers had said, and the resolution was carried by acclamation.

As the awards under which the tramwaymen in Wellington and Christchurch work have terminated, it is probable that as far as they are concerned the dispute will he moved into the Arbitration Court. In the meantime the Wellington men will work under the existing conditions. The Auckland employees only recently entered into a new agreement, and some time will elapse before it expires. Tlio Mayor remarked yesterday that although a settlement had not been reaclied, the conference had not been devoid of good results. S'omo of the information tendered by both iides had been very helpful, and as it would be productive of good understanding, it would promote the efficient conduct 'of tramway services throughout the Dominion.