ARBITRATION TROUBLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2216, 13 June 1908, Page 3

ARBITRATION TROUBLES.

AUCKLAND TRAMWAY DISPUTE. THE CHOOSING OF A CHAIRMAN (Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, June 12. The members of' the special Boardof Conciliation appointed in connection with the recent tram strike met this morning for the purpose of Selecting a chairman. There were present Messrs P. M. Hansen, and E. H. Morris (representatives of’the, Tramway Company), and Messrs Henry Carter and George Sherry (the Union representatives. The Clerk of Awards (Mr. E. W. Cave) was also in attendance in compliance with the wish of the Union representatives. Mr.' Hansen made the first suggestion, proposing itlie President of tile Arbitration Court (His Honor Mr. Justice Sim). Mr. Carter: You do that, notwithstanding that the men absolutely refused to submit- their case to the Arbitration Court. Mr. Hansen: There are four of us with the judge, and that makes a difference. Mr Carter : We won’t agree to him. We have our advice on the matter, but would prefer you to make some further suggestions. I think there is only one man. After some argument, Mr. Hansen considered Judge Sim to be the most suitable man. Mr. Carter: The proposal, to my miiul. is siicli a ridiculous one that I might just as well suggest a rank labor agitator. You must have known that the Judge is not at all popular amongst the working classes of New Zealand. Mr. Hansen: Ho is chosen by tliewoi'kers of New Zealand. Mr. Carter: To ask Mr. Judge Sim is remarkable. Wo can’t have a man who has .not given us “a fair run” in the Arbitration Court. If there had been a good chairman the men would not have minded submitting , their case to the Court. _ ' Mr: Hansen suggested Acting-Jus-tice Button, but Mr. Carter consider~*ctl~as tho Board was an unofficial one it would be best to keep away from lawyers, Acting-Justice Button would give his opiniou according to the Act. Mr. Hansen suggested that the tramway representatives should nominate a man. After considerable argument they .said that the Mayor that morning had suggested Mr. Tregear, and they would nominate him. Mr. Hansen: Is lie the man you suggest? ; Mr. Carter: Yes. He is—the man who was nearly the means of settling the tramway strike. I have never seen him before, but he appealed to me as a liberal-minded and unbiassed man. We thought he would makff.a suitable chairman. He has a big knowledge of the Arbitration Court, and will thus keep us from running away from the subject and thus lias-, ten a decision which tho men are so anxiously awaiting. Mr. Hansen: I have -the highest regard for Mr. Tregear, blit I am afraid and say so definitely- that, knowing the position that lie had taken up in connection with the recent strike, his appointment is out of tho question. I can safely say that should we not agree on a chairman I feel confident that the Government would not appoint him on account of his position '"and the position which he had taken up in connection with tho strike. There are many rumors that the employees would have Mr. Tregear or lio one. You must not forget that he took a prominent part in the recent strike matters, and for this reason I consider liis appointment quite Out of the question. We want a man who had nothing to do with the strike and who will weigh the matter absolutely on its merits. As Mr. Tregear took up a certain position in this matter I must refuse to accept him. If he had not taken up the position he has the thing might be different. Mr. Sherry: Ho slated us pretty .Well.

Mr. Carter: To charge him with anything like a leaning towards the men is not to be countenanced by us. Mr. Hansen: Excuse me, I didn’t Bay that. Mr. Carter: He got the strike settled. If Mr. Tregear liad not been here we would have been on strike yet. Mr. Tregear was recommended by the Mayor, who is a leading shareholder in the company. Mr. Hansen suggested Judge Kcttel, B. Kent, Chas. Rhodes, J. C. Mackey, J. Martin, T. Peacock, W. H. Lyon. G. T. Booth (Christchurch), and Dr. Coates, whom the representatives of the Union agreed to consider. The names of Messrs J. Kirker, J. Brown, .Leyland, and Am bury were objected to at once by Messrs Carter and Sherry. Mr Sherry: There is Mr J. Fawcus. ,Mr. Hansen: I can tell you that we could not accept him. After the luncheon adjournment Mr. Carter announced that all the names nominated had a decided interest on the side of tlie employers. They gave a negative to all the names. . ~ Mr. Hansen: I am surprised that in a-•country like New Zealand, n workman’s paradise, that wo can t select a suitable man. Mr. Carter: J .should like to ask for re-consideration of Mr. Tregear. Mr. Hansen: I have the- highest respect lor him, but owing to the attitude he took mt), and his close connection with the matters under discussion I feel it my duty to decline. Besides, as head ol the La boy Department, he might he placed in a very awkward position, and J don’t think ho would accept the position. Mr. Carter: We want a man who would bo perfectly fair and impartial. The meeting was adjourned until to-morrow morning.