TRAMWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16700, 8 December 1919, Page 8

TRAMWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

FATLUEE OF RECENT CONFERENCE.

It is announced in tho current issuo of tho "New Zealand Transport Worker"/that, following the fa'lure of the recent national conference, the dispute between the Tramwaynien's Federation and tho employers has been placed unreservedly in tho hands of tlio New Zealand Transport Workers' Advisory Board. Tho "Transport Worker" contains some interesting comments on tho proceedings of the confercnce, which was of a private nature. "On perusing tho counter-proposals, it was readily scon that they had boon to a very great extent dictated by the representatives of tho Christchurch Tramway Hoard, and, as many of tho conditions laid down would mean a retrogression of ten years for somo of tho other centres, it can readily bo understood that thoy-evoked no enthusiasm. In addition, it was proposed that tho different districts bo placed in three proupe. with different rates of pay—an obviously clumsy, and not quito original wnv of trying to create the antithesis of unity, namely, dissension. This, in itself, strongly pointed to tho conclusion that the employers were not anxious to promote a settlement. The fact, however, seemed to bo that thoso of the employers who were of n reasonable frame of mind, nllowed their sido of tho conference to be dominated by tho destmctivo propensities of thoso who were adverso to settlement, and, in doing so, tnev probablv realise now, that they took a false stop.

'•'The men's representatives, after consideration of counter proposals, intimated that they could not entertain t"he grouping proposal, and that even tho highest scale offered was far and away too low to meet tho cost of subsistence. "Tho other side were careful not to commit themselves by saying that anyone could live in decency on tho terms offered, but refcrenco was mndo to tho fact that a large proportion of tho men had the opportunity of working overtime on Sundays and other occasions. After several adjournments, tho employers finally withdrew ono of the groups, hut still insisted upon two — Wellington being place/] one halfpenny nor hour above the other centres. From this position they would not budge, nor would they offer nnv increase on the rates submitted in their counter-proposals, nnd they brought thr> conference to an end by intimating that nothing further was to be gained by prolonging the proceedings. It may bo here stated that the rates of pav offerer] by the employers ranged from Is ."3d to Is 8d per hour, being 3d and 4d respectively short of tho rates contained in the men's proposals. "The Mayor of Wellington mndo a mo<=t efficient and impartial chairman, and thero was no attempt made to introduce any acrimonious feeling into tho discussion, which was most orderly throughout. It is much to lie regretted. however, that the ivns not utilised to anything like the fullQxtcnt by the employers in endeavouring to reach n settlement, but we aro to presume that they know their business best