THE TRAMWAY STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 141, 13 June 1908, Page 5

THE TRAMWAY STRIKE.

CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE CONCILIATION BOARD. DELEGATES UNABLE TO AGREE. APPOINTMENT LEFT TO THE GOVERNMENT. The members of the special Board of Conciliation appointed in connection with the recent tram strike me.t again this morning for the purpose of further considering the question of selecting a chairman. There were present—Messrs. i?. M. Hanson 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.

The Clerk of Awards (Mr E. W. Cave) was formally appointed chairman of the conference, without voting power.

In reply to Mr Cave, Mr Carter said ■ —"We have met our union, and have one or two suggestions to make. We distinctly give a denial to any names so far submitted." Mr Hansen: I understand. Mr Carter: We thought that we should again allow the company the privilege of precedence.

Mr Hansen: It is good of you to extend the privilege to mc again, but, considering that you have refused the 10 names I have so far mentioned, and owing to the various objections you have raised against them, I am afraid that I have no one else to suggest.

Mr Carter: Are you definitely dcci ? ded against Mr Tregear?

Mr Hansen: I am of the same opinion as yesterday with regard to that gentleman. s Mr Carter: The members of my Union are very unanimous as regards Mr Tregear, but, seeing t-nat you meet the man with an absolute denial, because of the attitude he , took up, 1 have another name, and that is Mr J. J: Macky, of Jervois-road, Ponsonby. Mr Sherry: Even if we agree, the gentleman must bt consulted to see U ho will accept the post.

Mr Hansen: —Of course, there would be the right of refusal, or acceptance, but in the case of a refusal, there would have to be a very valid reason. Mr Hansen: I am unable to accept Mr Mackv.

Mr Sherry: Then I think that'termi- : nates our nominations. I don't thini? we have anyone else.

Mr. Hansen: I regret very much, but I would have liked to have a few more names from the other side.

Mr. Carter: We carefully considered the names and we have taken one; from the Government and one a capitalist, so you will see we have a desire to meet

Mr. Hansen: Is Mr. Macky a capitalist? Mr. Carter: Oh, yes. I take it, then, that you wish the Government to appoint the chairman. Mr. Hansen: No, that is not so. But you won't have a lawyer, and you don't want anyone who employs labour. Mr. Carter: I did not say we would not have an employer of labour. Mr. Hansen: What about Mr. Kent? Mr. Carter: He is a member of the Association which patted Mr. Walklate on the back and urged him not to sacrifice the sacred right of employers. Mr. Hansen: What Association? Mr. Sherry: The Association of Employers.

Mr. Hansen: You have put forward very few names. Mr. Carter: They are very solid men. Mr. Hansen: So were ours. Mr. Carter: We have brought forward men who would stand the X rays. They are fair and unbiassed. Mr. Hansen: Exactly the same as ours. Mr. Carter: Well, we can prove otherwise. Mr. Hansen : I don't think we need say any more about the men who have been refused.

Mr. Carter: You said yesterday that you were so anxious that we should not go to the Government. Mr. Hansen: Do you think, hecause I refused one name this morning, that I do not wish us to settle this matter amongst ourselves ! You refused 16 names; I only refused 3. Mr. Carter: That's all very well. I could bring forward 60 which you would refuse.

Mr. Cave: It seems that it is not much use prolonging the discussion. You cannot suggest anyone else? Mr. Hansen: I can't. Mr. Carter: Neither can we. Mr. Cave: I will get you to sign, a declaration stating that you can't agree on the appointment of a chairman. Mr. Hansen: I suppose we will agree on that. The meeting then adjourned, the appointment of the chairman being referred to the Government.