TRAMWAY DISCORD

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21728, 10 March 1936, Page 6

TRAMWAY DISCORD

j TO TEE EDITOR OF THE PBESB,

Sir,—As a non-partisan, but as one who constantly uses the trams, I am extremely sorry, that an acrimonious spirit continues to be displayed between two sets of- workers on the tramway staff. Surely it is time that this ill-feeling was ended. When both sides agreed to accept Mr Donnelly's decision concerning the matterof the strike in 1932, the hatchet should have been buried by both parJudging, however, from .things that have come to my own knowledge, such is not the case, and one of the parties to the dispute has not honoured its promise. With the controversy between Mr Thompson and Mr Archer I have nothing to do, but the continuance! of the unhappy conditions that prevail does not promote the successful working of a public service. What is the Tramway Board doing to encourage friendlier relations among the men and to put an end to disharmony? Is it permitting or discouraging the display of antagonistic .feelings between men in its employ?. Instead of reviving the old question of who caused the strike, it might reasonably be expected after four years to show a Christian spirit by actively promoting a friendly attitude among all its employees, The public to whom the service belongs has a right to expectthis.^Yours,etc.v March 9,1936.

/ TO THE EMTOB OV THB PRBBB.

Sir,—ln your paper, Mr Frank Thompson has tried to show that the Tramway Union has not kept its promise given to Mr Donnelly. Now, I would like to show how Mr Thompson kept his promise to Mr Donnelly. Mr Donnelly stated, "I think, therefore, that in departments other than the traffic department, all positions should be filled by union men now on strike." This meant that the president of the union (Mr J. Barr) returned to his work, which was on one of the permanent way machines. This did not suit Mr Thompson, as he wished to get rid of all the old executive members, and this meant one was going to get back. A few weeks after the strike Mr Thompson had this machine withdrawn from the road, and dismissed Mr Barr on retrenchment After the period allowed by the court for appeals had lapsed, this machine was gradually put Back on the road again, and from that time until to-day jt has been on the road continuously.. I think I can leave this with the Christchurch public, as the Tramway Union left the strike question in November, 1932.—Yours, etc., EX-TRAMWAYMAN 22.

March 9, 1936. I When this letter was referred to Mr Thompson, 'he said that, having no access to records, he could not deal with a matter which had occurred more than three years ago. His attitude to Mr Barr personally could be shown by the fact that Mr Thompson had gone out of his way personally to assist him on two separate occasions on important matters which could not be mentioned without Mr Barr's consent.]