THE TRAMWAYS BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 134, 8 June 1910, Page 2

THE TRAMWAYS BILL.

■ AUCKLAXDUXIOSPSPETITION. DAGGER OF OVi2iQROWI>ED CARS: A deputation front tie Auckland Tr&mivrays Employees' Union -waited upon the Piamg—Sfmistcr- at tho^Star— HateL tlu3_ morning, to urge the re-iritroduction of the Tramways Bill, whielT was shelved last session. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Richardson, Buckley, HTirlit, Carson, Kijmey, Angus, and Kosser. Mr Glover.'ilP./dntrodnced the deputation, and said that the Tramways BilL a≤ it passed through the committee last session, was' just about ■what they desired. The deputation -wanted to see the Bill re-introdiiced eaxly this session, ftb that there would be no chance of its again .beimc hung up. Mr Arthur Rosser said the Bill passed sast session was hung up, chiefly as the resnlt of the Opposition raised by Mr T. E. Taylor, MJ , . It was then promised thai the Bill •would be re-introduced this session. A conference of delegates, from the different unions of the Dominion had been held, at ■which" all the Christen utcll members ■were present., ■with the exception of Messrs. Ell and Laurenson. The conference went into the -whole -question, and it was. decided to put the decision of the conference before the Minister ior Public Works. Most of the very contentions clauses had been dropped. One of the things most desired in Auckland and Dunedin ■was the creation of an Appeal Board. Such Boards existed in -Wellington and TfciTtfiTJn and in Auckland there was a great need for an Appeal Board; Under the present system there was no remedy but stringent and rather undesirable action, if the men -wanted redress and could not'receive it. Sir Kosser further referred to a statement emanating from Ihinedin, to the effect that the Bill was to be dropped by the Government. Sir Joseph WaTdi There is no truth in" that. Mr Rosser said he was glad to have titsf assertion -from- the Prime Minister. When the strike took place in Auckland, it was not a strike against the Arbitration Act; bit had reference to extraneous 'matter. If the- Tramways Bill was placed upon tie Statute. Book, and they iiad a Court of Appeal, then? would be the chance of rectifying these matters 5n a satisfactory- manner, Mr Rosser further referred to the dangers of overcrowding, and the need-ior the licencing of iirotcEctnen,. . 3ir_ EdclKrfdson (President of the TrannraT Employees' Union) said the <ruestion of overcrowding cars in Auckland -was a most serious one. There iha& been eases of manslaughter "brought asr.-imst motonnen and conductors, arising out -of -accidents, which were in many ■cases the result of overcrowding. The cars in Auckland were packed to their ■ntnrosfc capacity, and it did not tend to the safety of the' public He also urged the adoption of a system of licensing Brotormen, and contended that it TTOuId --raise lihe' status of motanneny aad- - further ensure- the safety of the public. Mr Richardson like-wise spoke of the necessity for the creation of an Appeal Ccnirt at which tramways employees' coald receive redress.

"-Th° Prime ...Minister said the Tntm•ways EilLTConld be. bjpugbt down early in the coming sessiaiL: H<r wwild f ox■svard to the Minister for Public Works a " Tri PThi-YTO.Ti<-1 TtTfi covering their suggestions." "When the Bin came before committee tie Auckland Tramways Emplqrefiß'..Union.cotild, if ifc so desired,give evidence. of the matters they desired to see incorporated in tie Bfll He hoped to see the measure placed an ■fcke Statute Book eariy in the session.