A TRAMWAY.STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2197, 22 May 1908, Page 3

A TRAMWAY. STRIKE.

AUCKLAND EMPLOYEES GO OUT. gUSPJiNSION OF SEK\ ICE. CAUo LB. FT ON THE STH EET. Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 31. Air. Shinaghun, o dicer in charge of‘the Labor Bureau, waited on Mr. Alvcrs thus morning and pomUdout the' seriousness of the tram crisis. Air. Mvers I'eplied that he lullv realised the inconvenience to the public which would result from i strike. If both sides were agreeable he was •willing to mediate, lie added that according to the deed of delegation the Tramway Company was not responsible for carrying on the service iu the event of a strike. ’I he men would be warned that if they left the cars in the streets they would bo liable to prosecution for \ breach of the by-laws. , Punctually at. twelve noon a red flag was hung out front Palmerston buildings, near the tramway terminus at Queen street wharf. A few ears were then at the terminus, and the conductor 1 and motormeu stepped; oil', handing their controller handles to oflicers Of the Tram Company. As other ears arrived their luotonnen and conductors adopted the same course, while the police took the names of each man, probably with a view to prosecution tor a breach ot the city by-laws in leaving the cars loitering in the streets. The street speedily filled with cm. The sidewalks were crowded with spectators, but there was no demonstration beyond a little hooting of the police ami cheering of the men a: they left the cars, inspectors took charge of the cars, and drove them to the barns, 'the Company’s employees at the power-house remaining on duty to permit this to be done, after which, it is understood, they will also come out. At 11.3 D the Tramway Union held a filial'meeting to-consider a communication received from Mr. Walklate, in reply to their ultimatum, Mr. Itosser explained to an attendance of sixty that he had delivered the ultimatum at 9 o'clock, and two hours later received a reply suggesting that a small deputation meet him to'discuss the matter. A brief but warm discussion followed, the opinion being favorable to strike at noon unless tin company agreed to the demands. An amendment in favor of adjourning the strike till 2 o’clock, appointing the Mayor as arbitrator, was defeated by an overwhelming majority. The following telegram was despatched to the Minister for Labor: “The 'Government,-. not being able to do anything for lis in bringing to book the autocratic general manager, my uniion in self-defence decided to leave the cars unless, stipulations are agreed to. Our action is not against the Arbitration Act, but is a struggle for existence.” Soon after 1 o’clock the whole of the cars had been left at the termi* nus, and the Tram Company, making no attempt to continue the service, despatched cars in batches to the barns. Queen street remained full of excited spectators up to 2 o’clock, but the absence of cars took very much from the spectacualr effect, and with a very strong force of-pol-ice in evidence .everything passed ofi very quietly. 1 One mo tor man, who dclavcd a little m stepping off the car, Yas lornly assailed with cries of, “Como off, blackleg; have some pluck”: but he soon joined his comrades, and wa--accorcled a clicer by the .crowd. Then had been distributed tickets boariim the words “We walk late.” being a Play -upon the name of the Tramwav Company s manager,. -Mr. Walklate These were worn by a good many ( ,i Cl °"r’ aJU , . Ju , nt 6omo humor to the occasion, which from present nn-•.-fcarances .looks verg serious from the public point of view. c,! .V i ? ,IC(I J j y the company that hui position is unassailable in so hti as the discharge of the conductor Hertson is concerned. It is stated that under the agreement, after the dispute with the men last year, no summary dismissal could take place except a good reason were given by ho company, but the company bad the privilege of discharging a man without any explanation so long us a week s notice was given, llerdson was dismissed and given a week’s wages in lieu of notice. lhis afternoon a mass meeting ol members of the union was held. Mr. Itosser, the union secretary, said that the union and the -men associated with it had that day covered themselves with glory. ITo was pleased to say that the firemen at tho powerhouse had joined in tho strike. They bad come out in sympathy with, the motor-men and conductors. Half ol

them were not members of the union. Ho said he had a conversation with a Jtr leading townsman, and lie had been informed by xlie gentleman that if a trnco was declared ho though they would get everything they asked for. A meeting was then held, at-which over CO members of the union were present. An amendment had been proposed that a truce be called till 2 i o’clock, but this was over-ruled by to 3. After the flag had been put *%l>''donoting the decision to strike, 31 r. Ban me, M.P., had como to him, and said ho would like to see the matter settled. Ho (Mr. Rosser) had replied that they were willing for a settlement, but it must he brought ■about honorably. Mr. Baumc had suggested a conference with the general manager, and the speaker had replied that the general manager should come to them. NO SIGNS OF SETTLEMENT, | - SYMPATHY AViTH THE STTIIKEIIiS. Press Association. AUCKLAND, 31 ay 21. Up to a late hour to-night there wore no .signs of settlement ol the tramway trouble. Mr. Rosser and other unionist secretaries had a conference with the Mayor to-night, ami suggestions were made which will be. Jaid before a meeting of the men tomorrow. On being asked to-night what steps the company proposed to take in regard to the. strike, the general manager (Ah'. AValklate) said : “It is difficult to say until we see what transpires to-morrow,’’ Beyond that lie would make no statement. WELLINGTON, May 21.

Tho Wellington Trades and 'Labor Council [Kissed a resolution to-niglit sympathising with the AuekJ - mil strikers.