TRAM STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1932, Page 5

TRAM STRIKE

NOT SETTLED YET

COMPROMISE LIKELY

(By Telegraph—Per Pies:- Asßoeiatiuii j

CHRISTCHURCH, May 9

The ti am way strike id still not settled in 'spite of long and earnest consultations and deliberation,*. I lie negotiations between :the- Board and the Union were, resumed at three o’clock this afternoon. The .Mayor, Air D. G. Sullivan, M.F., Bishop West Watson, i Bishop Brodic, and Deputy Mayor, Rev. J. K. Archer, and Mr Jas. Roberts (Secretary of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour) acted as mediators.

Both t-idos seemed to realise the urgent necessity for settling the strike, and the mediators worked strenuously to prepare some formula which would he acceptable to all. Shortly before midnight the conference was .still iu session, and it then appeared almost certain that both of the parties would compromise on the appointment of a tribunal, either privately, or under the Labour Disputes Investigation Act. The, chief obstacle, to a, final 1 settlement is still the Board’s pledge to retain in its employment those of its new employees who prove to bo suitable.

These new employees now number 11.0, although none have been engaged since, Saturday, t The President of the Alliance of Labour (Mr A. Cook) and Mr H. T. Armstrong, M.P., both attended on the Union’s behalf.

, Whether the strike is settled or not, tho Board expects to resume the running of a niglif, service on Wednesday.

A BRICK THROWN.

DANGER TO PASSENGERS

'CHRISTCHURCH, May 9,

A piece of brick was thrown at the last tram iiroin St. Martin’s this evening. It went through the windows on either side of the car, knocking off the hat of Mr W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands, in its flight, and ■scattering glass all over the, interior,. Flying glass I struck the face of Nurse Lucy Hoare, of the Christchurch Hospital .Staff, who was also a passenger. Her face was cut slightly. The incident occurred in a dark part of Wilson’s Road, St. Martin's, and although the constable riding with the motorman made a search, he could not find the person who threw the missile. Probably it. wias, thrown fpom behind a hedge- bordering the road,

THE SPECIALS

POLICE HEAD’S DEFENCE OF

THEM!

'CHRISTCHURCH, May 9,

Superintendent Cummings says the special constables enrolled in Christchurch are not concerned with the dispute between the Tramway Board and Tramway Union any more than with the preservation of law and order as sworn constables. He warned all those who had publicly jeered at them, using tlje term “scab” and- other similar epithets, that continuance of such practice will mean arrest. ‘‘These temporary constables are in exactly the same position as those in. the permanent force,” Superintendent Cummings explained. “They have taken the oath to protect His Majesty’s peace, to prevent crime and lawlessness and to execute their duty without fear or favour, affection, or ill nature. Some persons seem to think that these, temporary police are strike-breakers. They are nothing of the kind. They are constables and if a striker was in a position in which he required protection lie is entitled to secure it from them just as is any other citizen. There will be no picketing of any description permitted anywhere on the tramway routes or m the precincts of any of the depots. 1 '

TRAM CONFERENCE

TRIBUNAL SET UP

NO WORK TILL DECISION > MADE

CHRISTCHURCH, May 10

After sitting till 10 o’clock this morning, the Tramway Conference agreed to set up a tribunal under the terms of the Labour Disputes Investigation Act with Mr A. T. Donne! y as Clia'irman, but the Board makes the reservation that the claims of volunteer workers must be given every consideration.

Until tile Tribunal gives its decision, the men will not return to work.

CONDITIONS FOR TRIBUNAL

CHRISTCHURCH, May lo.| 'l'lm lull text of the motion i-m*t liv the con crenei l is: •-“Thu Board and union agree to the sM.tiiur m> of a tribunal miller the terms ol Labour Disputes Investigation Act. but the board :i if re as to this only on condition that , I'.iiiis of new men he id'-en mere consider:! I ion i" regard to the definite undertaking given them by the board as lo jin' terms of their employment. It is .urreod to ask Mr Donnelly to act as eliairmaii.”

Concerning vo'ouioo- workers Alevor Sullivan slates (hat in order tliaL there .should In' n > misunderstanding of the meaning of the agreement, the Chairman of the Board made it clear that this was the Board’s condition, not the

Union’s condition, and that the Union was not involved in that condition. The Union would have the right to submit its own order of reference, and to state the conditions under which it accepted the tribunal, just as the Board had stated the conditions of its acceptance. 'The secretary of the Union states that.the Union would not have agreed to the setting up of a tribunal unless consideration was to he given to the questions of victimisation, and reinstatement of all men who were members of the Union on April 30th, in their former positions, the dismissal of all free labourers and consideration of a fair and equitable system of rationing. The Tribunal will probably he set up to-dav, and the Board and Union will submit their terms a,s claims, in an order of reference which will probably ho available from‘both parties this evening. In the meantime, the Boar,d will continue the tram services as at prei sent.