OFFER REJECTED

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1932, Page 5

OFFER REJECTED

STRIKE NOW ON SPECIAL POLICE ENROLLED. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. A meeting’ of the morning shift tramway men was held to-night, an which the. negotiations of the day we e discussed. Tin, only statement obtainable alter the meeting was that the strike, was definitely on. The men stated that the members of the Union were strongly against the-' acceptance of the Board’s terms, and were in favour o, a strike.

So far as they knew, only two members of the Union had refused to join the strike. Tlie Boat’d have. made, arrangements to run a- modified service to-morrow. The extent of the service- will depend on the number of present employees who report for duty, and as to this number the Board is quite in the dark

The Board lias received four hundred applications for employment cn the trams, including some from experienced tramway men in Auckland and AA 7 e.llington, A substantial number of these men were enrolled tonight, and were ordered to report for duty, Tile service to-morrow will terminate at 5.45 p.m. r There will be no trains running after, dark.

In spite of Superintendent Cummings giving a warning that the police will not tolerate picketing, it is known that attempts at- picketing will be made to-morrow morning. In anticipation of trouble of this sort, Superintendent Cummings lias warned for early morning duty a fairly strong body of special police.

NEGOTIATIONS UNSUCCESSFUL.

FOUR HOURS’ DISCUSSION. CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. For four hours to-day, negotiations were carried on between the Christchurch Tramways Board and the Tramways Union.

The Mayor. Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P. the Deputy Mayor, Mr J. K. Archer, and Mr J. McCombs M.P., took part in the negotiations, they acting as intermediaries between the parties.

The indications until late in the afternoon were that the parties would he able to agree on a ha si.s of sett'ement. However at, six o’clock, Mr Sullivan announced that their -efforts to bring about a. settlement had not succeeded.

The final proposal_of. the Board was as follows: “That the men call off the strike, and that the Board withdraw its dismissal notices. The recent rationing scheme is to continue, I but the Board is prepared to meet the' men and discuss any suggestions that they may wish to bring forward with a view to improvements to the existing rationing system, which improvements cmld he instituted forthwith if agreeable to both parties. It is tobe understood that the whole question of conditions ‘is to be reviewed on June 8.”

This proposal was rejected hv the Union’s representatives, who made the following counter proposal: “That the employees call off the strike and the Board cancel its dismissal notices; that negotiations he immediately opened, without prejudice for a rationing scheme.” Ihe proposal in turn, was rejected by the Board. The men are holding a meeting tonight.

VOLUNTEERS RUN SERVICE POLICE FORCES CALLED OUT. CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. The tramways strike began this morning but only a restricted service is running on all lines. A constable rides on ouch car. TRAMS RUNNING. UNDER POLICE GUARD. CHRISTCHURCH, May 4. The first trams moved out as usual on all lines this morning and thereafter a restricted service was maintained, approaching fifty per cent, of normal. With the aid of inspectors, a few loyalists, old tramwaymen, and volunteers, not ns much inconvenience a« was expected was caused, but hundreds wY.ked to work, and hundreds cycled who ordinarily use the trams. The weather was line «tul clear. Officials consider that the emergency service is a distinct .success, and say i| will ho extended to-morrow as Nhnals .of npplicaLinns for work are received from men with more or less experience. Three hundred strikers picketed approaches to the tramway depot iu Moorliou.se Avenue at live o’clock this morning, while- at the same time, official car,a ami a small HeeL of taxis, disgorged a force ol police oi a. size In ensure the interrupt,l working of the emergent;/ arrangements. The'Strikers adopted a policy of peace, fnl jacketing a-iM there were no demonstrations, and no mo.estat ion of the emergency workers, One Inme el police were on duty at the depot while others were stationed at various points. The first I nun Jeff the depot. for Sumner at (i.2 a.in. Then 1 were two constables in the ear, and the, driver was an inspector and the guard ft volunteer. Bv eight o’clock about thirty trams and trolly buses had left

the depot, and' their drivers and conductors were guarded by police. The only thing that the pickets did tlirs morning at the depot was to notice who was driving the trains with a keen eye for union men who had not joined in the, strike. Their names were filed for reference. There was no active demonstration whatsoever. As soon as the first pickets made their appearance the police (wlm had been keeping a close watch at the depot during tlio night) were rein forced strongly. Superintendent Cummings and In.‘•pector Cameron arrived oil the scene followed by car load after car load of constables. The first move of the police was to clear the men away from their nearest, Fitzgerald Avenue position. The request to move on was courteously but firmly made, and acted upon without 4- protest- Thereafter things went smoothly. The .tram manager states the new men are permanent as the old staff has resigned.