TRAMWAY STRIKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10609, 7 June 1920, Page 4

TRAMWAY STRIKE

EMPLOYEES STILL IDLE RAIN ADDS GREATLY TO PUBLIC’S I-N CON VENIE'N CE. y ~ CONCILIATION COMMISSIONER’S DIFFICULTY. TEE PKESS- ASSOCIATION, .AUCKLAND, June o. A heavy downpour added greatly to the inconvenience caused by the tramway strike. Queen street was more than usually full this morning owing, no doubt, to the influx of people who ■intended going to the races. Before 10 o’clock, however, the races, and all sports, were postponed, and in the afternoon tho city was practically deserted. Queen street business people generally report good business, which is attributed by some to the fact that qodntry people, once in the city, arc 'forced to shop in the main street. Extra train facilities have been provided to meet , tho heavy passenger traffic from the suburbs. In connection with the offer of mediation by tho Minister for Labour, who asked, the Conciliation Commissioner, M'r P. Hally, to get.in .touch with tho .parties with a now to effecting a settlement, a difficulty arises from the fact that tho tramwaymen arc not working under an Arbitration Court award, hut under an _ agreement between itbe Tramways Union t representatives and tho City Council." ' Mr Hally interviewed the officials of the Tramways Union this morning, and 'the position of affairs was explained to him. SERVICES NOT REQUIRED. Tho tramway employees to-day were' served with tho following no--fcioe: "Owing to motormen and conductors having ceased work, the service is. entirely suspended, and tho department regrets it has no other course open to it than to give notice to other employees that their services Will not he required, as there is no work for them. You arc hereby notified that your services will not be required after Saturday, 12th inst." _ A copy of the- following resolution, parried hv the Newmarket Borough Council, has been forwarded to tho Mayor of Auckland: “That the Newmarket Council strongly deprecates tho action of the tramway employees concerned in _ the present ’ strike, particularly. in- view of the fair and reasonable treatment accorded them during the recent wages dispute, and desires to congratulate the Mayor of Auckland-on the stand he has taken in the matter. At the same, time assuring him of the unanimous support of this counsel In any action that may be found necessary in /"maintain!rt£ the efficiency and discipline of service.” .

Other local bbdies interested have adopted - similar resolutions.