A THREATENED STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9151, 21 May 1908, Page 5

A THREATENED STRIKE.

SECOND EDITION.

Press Association. Auckland, May 20. A meeting of the Union, attended by 117 of the men, to-night unanimously confirmed the resolutions passed by the meeting this morning, and decided to issue a manifesto to the public explaining the men’s case. The position, according to the resolutions, is that unless the management concede the men’s demands by noon to-morrow- the strike will take place. Mr Rosser presents the men’s demands to the general manager in the morning. Auckland, May 21. Mr Shanaghan, officer in charge of the Labour Bureau, w sited on the Mayor this morning and pointed out the seroiusubss of the tram crisis. Mr Meyers replied that he fully realised tho inconvenience to the public which would result from a strike, and if both sides were argeeable he was willing to meditate. He added that according to the deed of delegation the Tram Company was not responsible for carrying on the service in event of a strike. The men would be warned that if they left the cars in the streets they would be liable to prosecution for breach of the by-laws. MEETING OF MEN. At 11.30 the Tramway Union held a final meeting to consider the communication received from Mr Walklate in reply to the ultimatum. Mr Rosser explained to an attendance of sixty that he had delivered the ultimatum at 9 o’clock and j|two hours later received the reply suggesting that a small deputation meet Mr Walklato to discuss the matter. A brief and warm discussion -followed, the general opinion being favourable to a strike at noon unless the Ocmxiany agreed to the demands. An amendment in favour of adjourning the strike till two o’clock and appointing the Mayor as arbitrator was defeated by au overwhelming majority. A telegram was despatched [to the Minister of Labour: “Government is not very able to do anything for us in bringing to book the autocratic general manager. My Union in selfdefence decided to leave the cars unless our stipulations were agreed to. Our action is not against the Arbitration Act, but is a sruggle for existence.’’ STRIKE DECLARED. Auckland, May 21. Punctually at 12 noon the red flag was hung "out near the tramway terminus at Queen Street wharf. Few cars were then at the premises and conductors and motormen stepped off handing [their controller handles to the officers of the Tram Company. As other cars arrived motormen and conductors adopted the same course, while the police took the names of eachjman probably with a view to prosecution for breacli of tho City bye-laws in leaving their cars and loitering in the streets.

The street speedily filled with cars, the side walks were crowded with spectators, but there was no public demonstration beyond a little hooting of the police and cheering of the men as they left the cars. Inspectors . took charge of the cars and drove them empty to the barns. The Company’s employees at the power house remained on duty to permit this to be done after which it is understood tbev will also come out.

Soon after one o’clock the whole of the cars had been left at :.the terminus and the Tram Company, making no attempt to continue the service, despatched the cars in batches to the barns. Queen Street remained full of excited spectators un to two o’clock, hutithe absence - of oars took away much of the spectacular effect and with a very strong force of police in evidence, everything passed off very quietly.