PEACE CELEBRATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10278, 13 May 1919, Page 6

PEACE CELEBRATIONS

THE TRAAIS TO RUN THROUGHOUT.

The Tramway Employees’ Union at a special meeting on Sunday agreed to accept the terms ordered by the City Council to ensure the running of trams throughout the three days over which tho local Peace celebrations will extend. The union agreed to run a full service on the understanding that the rate of pay will be time and a half. In addition the men will have three days added to their annual leave. There was a strong element in favour of holding up the service during the celebrations, but the union officials are of the opinion that the minority will abide by the decision of tho majority. The Mayor stated to a “Times” representative yesterday that the position of the tramway employees who will bo working during tho festivities was before the City Council some time ago. The council recognised that the men would be entitled to consideration at a later date. A suggestion that tho two or three days’ holiday for tho celebrations should be balanced in the case of these men by granting them two or three days’ extra leave, to bo attached to their annual leave, was agreed to; but it was felt that this would not fully compensate the men for having to work during the festivities. Tho matter of additional compensation by way of payment had been considered, and the result of the communications that had passed between tho tramway department and the employees on the subject would bo submitted to the council at its meeting on Wednesday, when it would be for the councillors to give effect to the recommendation if they considered it satisfactory. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROCESSION. A meeting of the procession committee in connection with tho Peace cole brations was held last evening. Mr W. H. P. Barber was elected chairman Representatives of the following trades and organisations were present. —Women’s National Reserve, Now Zealand Army Nursing, Service, Friendly Societies, Master Bakers’ Unipn, soft goods establishments, Government Printing Office, Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Workingmen’s Club, Wellington Gas Company, and the Veterans’ Association.

A suggestion that the various friendly societies represented should meet and arrange what part they would take in tho proceedings was adopted, ns also was a proposal that tho master drapers should be asked to undertake the :u----rangement of the tableaux to represent each of the Allied natiqns which had participated in tho war. It was decided to offer a small prize for tho best display in the procession.

ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE. A progress report was made by Mr Blandford on the work done to date. Ho mentioned that Air Marcus Marks and Mr Norman Aitken, representing tho Eastbourne Savage Club and “Charley's Aunt” Club respectively, had arranged for open-air performances to be given by six parties of vocalists in different parts of the city—Courtenay place, Albert ‘Hotel corner, “Evening Tost,” Bank of New Zealand corner, and tho Post Office square. The manager of the Bristol Piano Company had signified his willingness to provide six pianos in connection with the performances.

Hr Bickerton, who 13 supplying the fireworks'in connection with the celebrations, gave particulars of the most suitable kinds of fireworks for the procession and the aquatic display. The secretary was instructed to prepare a schedule setting out the estimated expenditure of the various committees.