WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 155, 3 July 1922, Page 2

WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS.

CUT IN WAGES,

TALK OF A STRIKE.

The dispute regarding wages and working conditions between the Wellington City Council and the local tramwaymen's union was discussed "by the City Council on Thursday night. It was decided in committee that authority be given for the taking of all necessary eteps to "secure a settlement of the dispute under the provisions of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1008. Councillor C. H. Chapman protected, in speaking against the confirmation of the decision, that the council had acted most unwisely, and was eimplv looking for trouoble. It had issued *an ulti' matum to the union that any agreement must provide:—(a) That" the union withdraw its registration under the Industrial Disputes Act and, come under the Arbitration Act; and *(b) that it submit to a reduction in wages amounting to 6/ per week. He maintained that the union was entitled to register under any Act it wished, and the council w«3 exceeding its power in compelling the men to forego their legal rights. The council had adopted the attitude that it could compel the union to go irbto the Arbitration Court I>eeauee there were large numbers of unemployed available. He accused the council" of making harsh terms. The men were being forced into taking drastic action. He hoped an attempt would be made to call a reasonable conference. The Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.) said.he could not see any harshness in the council's attitude. '. The union, which was registered under the two Acts, could cancel one—whichever it chose. Councillor P. Fraser. M.P., in seconding an opposing amendment niovod by Councillor Chapman, characterised the decision S3 absurd and foolish, and referred to the trouble that it was likely to brew. Councillor Luckie: What trouble* Councillor Fraser: The trouble that ie bound to come. Councillor Luckie: Why not use the word 'strike," as you did in committee?

Councillor Frasor replied that Tie would use it vrlien lie thought fit. It wa.« cither a climb down for the union or a strike in some form or other. The Mayor: Go slow. Councillor Fraser: I don"t know, l <ion t know the mind of the union He accused the council of ineietinc "upon impossible conditions and of tafcinj. up a weak attitude. ' Several other councillors criticii*d the Labour members' remark? The Mayor, in reply. *aid"that the union hud created the dispute. an d had forced matter-. The Minister had power to eal] the parties together one* more for the purpose of discussing « settlement. ... * The Labour members" amendment wae lost by 11 to 2.