THE CHRISTCHURCH TRAMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 303, 19 June 1912, Page 5

THE CHRISTCHURCH TRAMS

r i STRIKE IMMINENT. { SUGGESTED GENERAL STRIKE. I By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The reply of the Tramway Board to the men's demands for an immediate improvement in their conditions has caused a good deal of indignation among members of the union, though its effe'et hardly came as a surprise. Mattem seem to have come to a crisis, and a strike is considered by the man in the street to be the next development. The evening shift of tramway workers met this morning at 10 o'clock in the Trades Hall. The meeting, which was strictly in camera, lasted two and l a half hours, and the Board's resolution and detailed reply to the men's grievances were discussed exhaustively. Several resolutions were passed, arid these will be considered at a meeting of the mornj ing shift at 8 o'clock to-night. Jf they are approved, the line of action suggested will be taken by the union executive. Mr. H. Hunter, secretary of the union, informed a reporter that these resolutions were not for publication until a definite agreement was come to by the union. He was unable to say what the next development would be. The Tramwaj's Union was already veering away from the Arbitration Court. The possibility that it is shaping its course towards the Federation of Labor, which has been holding out since November last a threat "to paralyse the •. wheels of industry," increases the likelihood of a general strike. The Federation of Northern Labor Leaders has stated) that it only wants the general, support of transport workers, and it will act. It has been endeavoring to get that support for months. It wants to take its revenge for several grievances —the Auckland laborers' affair and the Waihi deadlock among them. Men who have taken a prominent part in labor matters spoke guardedly on the subject when questioned by a' reporter. They were of opinion that the menace of a general strike is hanging over New Zealand, but it will not be for a month or two. Said one: "The employers would like us to strike just now, but we know something. Winter is not a suitable time for a strike. Something will happen in the spring." Dissatisfaction among the workers is increasing. The Government's promises for improvements have remained what they always were—rosy promises with nothing behind them. The Tramwaymen's Union have decided | to hold a secret ballot to-morrow to decide what course shall be followed. The feeling at the evening shift's meeting to-day was not at all unanimous, so a reporter was informed. A motion was proposed suggesting that the union should carry out its original intention andl suspend the service next Monday afternoon, in order to ' hold a public meeting in Cathedral Square. Then an amendment was moved to the effect that no action should, be taken until after the Tramway Board elections. The motion was carried, fifty-nine members voting in favor of it, while only twenty-three voted for the amendment. "We will strike, but not for long," a reporter was told, "only long enough to show that we have some power." Christchurch, Later. It is understood that the outcome of the meeting of tramwaymen to-day and to-night is that the projected strike will be deferred till after the Tramway Board elections on Thursday.