STRIKE CEASES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 132, 4 May 1940, Page 9

STRIKE CEASES

DECISION AT AUCKLAND. TRIBUNAL TO SIT. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 3. Alter nearly four days of “go-slow” tactics the Auckland tramwaymen resumed the normal operation of the trams from about 5.30 this afternoon as the result of a request by tlie Minister of Labour (Hon. P. C. Webb). Whether or not the men will achieve their full demands for increased pay will be decided by the tribunal set up under the War Emergency Regulations by the Minister, which will meet in the morning. The Minister’s decision to set up the tribunal was made to-day and followed the unsuccessful attempt on the previous day by his liaison officer (Mr C. L. Hunter) to bring the parties • together immediately under clause 58 of the industrial agreement between the board and the union. By invoking the War Emergency Regulations the Minister has taken the dispute entirely out of the hands of the parties concerned, which are compelled to negotiate through the tribunal. According to an announcement by ‘Mr Hunter, Mr S. Ritchie (Conciliation Commissioner, of Christchurch) has been appointed chairman of the tribunal, and the board and union will be represented by three assessors each. Air Hunter said the assessors would give the case for their respective sides and the chairman would make the final decision as to the matter in dispute. Sucli decisions would be binding on either side subject to nenalty under the War Emergency Regulations. The Minister’s request that normal schedules should lie resumed immediately was conveyed to the men by Mr Hunter.