THE TRAMWAY TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1920, Page 5

THE TRAMWAY TROUBLE.

THE SITUATION IN CHRISTCHURCH. STRIKE NOT FEARED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Though there are rumors current in regard to a possible "go slow" strike on .the part of the Ciiristchurcli tramway men suoli reports are characterised by the Tramway Union as gross exaggerations.

The tramway award here has expired and owing to the failure of the conference recently held in Wellington the Tramway Board invited the local Union to a conference to frame a new award. This invitation the men were unable to accept, as owing to having joined the federated union, no local or sectional agreement could at the time be discussed. The Board then cited the workers before the Arbitration Court to have a fresh award registered. The Board are at present paying the men an extra penny per hour in the terms of the recommendation recently put forward by the Court to help to meet the extra cost of living, and they will pay the extra penny till a new agreement is entered into The Union, at a meeting yesterday, agreed to ask the Board to meet a deputation with a view to a satisfactory agreement be!h B drawn up as early as possible, any proposal coming from the conference to be subject to ratification by the federation before beinjr accepted by the Union. The Hon. John Barr,, chairman of the Tramway Board, expresses himself as confident that a mutual agreement will be speedily arrived at. The relations, between the Board and the Union are amicable, and both worked hand in hand in arranging for yesterday's big meeting.