ARBITRATION COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8807, 8 May 1907, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

Poiitics and WagesPer Press Association. Auckland, May 8.

Mr Scott, opening the case for the Tramway Company in the Arbitration Court, said there was no friction under the original award until the men heard of the political agreement made in Wellington just before the general election. Five members of the City Council stood for the House of Representatives and the tramway men picked on the psychological moment to , demand extra pay. and a demand which meant that JBGOOO extra per annum was loaded on the Wellington system when it was not paying. Without hesitation he declared that the agreement was a political agreement which the Court should not recognise. It .caused discontent throughout New Zealand. The Auckland men immediately came'along with demands and moved for the first time for altered conditions. Dunedin workers also made demands though but for the Wellington agreement peace and content would have reigned there. Although jthero was some undoubted friction between the Auckland tram company and the men during the strike the relationspreviously wore ,of a most cordial nattiro and since - the strike the cause of strife had been removed and the Old relations \\ me now in existence.