AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 223, 13 June 1908, Page 4

AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS.

THE SPECIAL BOARD. DIFFICULTY IN SELECTING A CHAIR- * MAN.. • (bt teleg'eaph— phess association.), Auckland, June 12. The Special Board appointed to adjust matters in disputo ill tlio recent tramway strike met to-day to appoint a chairman^ The Tramway Company's representative proposed Mr.. Justice • Sim, to whom the Uhion representatives objected. Mr. Justice Button was suggested, but it was agreed that the chairman should not bo a iawyer. Tiie Union suggested Mr. E Tregear, Seorotary for The Company's solicitor, said he had the highest regard for Mr. Tregear, but lie oould not agree to bis appoint, ment iii view- of tho position ho had taken in regard to tho recent .strike. A number of other names were submitted, and jtliese were considered by the Union. After luncheon adjournment the delegates again met, to consider the - question. Mr. Carter, one of the Union representatives, said they had gone through the names. . .Seeing that all those named nad, in the Union's opinion, a decided interest on the side of the employers, thoy gave a negative to all the names. Th'ey had nothing new,to put forward. Mr. Hansen (ono of the Company's representatives): I am surprised'that in a country like Now Zealand, a workman's paradise, we can't select a suitable man. It would be. very- desirable fo rus to agree on one. Mr. Carter: Wo might suggest someone' to-morrow." Mr. Hansen: If there is a'hope of making a selection, let us adjourn by all means. Mr. Carter: I should like to ask for reconsideration of Mr. Tregear. I was much struck with the speech he gave. Mr. Hansen: Yes; so was I. I have the highest respcct for him, but owing to the , attitude lie took up, and his close connection with the matters under, discussion, I feel it to be my duty'to. decline. Besides, ;as head of the Labour Department, he might be placed-.in-a very awkward position, and; I don't think he would accept the positioh.'. ■ Mr. Carter: "We want a man who would bo perfectly, fair aud' impartial: The meeting was then adjourned until 10.30 to-morrow morning; CITY COUNCIL versus COMPANY. CARS AND OVERCROWDING. "EMPLOYEES IN AWKWARD POSITION. (BV TELEGKAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT). ' t ■ Auckland, June 12. Tho " strap-hanger," who his _ already Ggured prominently in tramway differences in tlie past, will, it is understood, play, a not unimportant part in the action which the City Council has bronpht against the Tramways Company for failuro to provide sufficient rolling stock to conform with the . terms of the deed of delegation.. At a tneoting of trairtway employees the men contended that it was impossible to adhere strictly to tho regulations, and that they were liable to inadvertentjy commit a breach at any time. .It was pointed-nut- at the Meeting that agile passengers might board or leave cars in motion when they were on up, grades, and it was impossible to waf.ch -both ends of a crowded car, especially when there were lots- • of fares to be collcctfcd. It wav decided to hold met-ings of - tho Union next week to gt into tho whole question, Seen by a " Herald" reporter, Mr. A. Rossbr (secretary of the Union), said he understood that - Mr. Turner (City Traffio; Inspector) had his instructions from the City Council to prosecute in cases of overcrowding, with the object in view of obtaining evidence to. lay beforo the Appeal Court in connection with the Council's action. " They want cases to show that -the Company has an insufficiency of cars," said Mr. Rosser, "and at present they'are particularly lively in prosecution. It would be prima facie evidence, though it is pretty rough on the men. The Union will . not stand that. The Union has already warned, conductors that trams must not bo overcrowded. The Union is helpless. Tho men report' any trouble as to overcrowding to the Company, but the Company refuses to take action. On behalf of tho men, I am going to prosecute ono man for getting into. a Heme Bay car when it was full and refusing to-leave." ' '\ _ ' SPEECH 'BY MR. POOLE. TRAMWAYS BILL AND OTHER MATTERS. (BY TELEGnAFH, —SPECIAL COBIIESPONDENX). 1 Auckland, June 12. Speaking at Ponsonby last -night, Air, Poole. M.P., referred" at some length to tho Auckland tramways.' Last session, he 6aid, the: Minister for Public Works had introduced a Tra,mways Bill, as a result, he bo- ■, lieved, of the question that he had asked in tho House regarding tho. equipment of the Auckland tramway system. There were two or threo clauses in the Bill that would have been of the utmost benefit- to this community. Every lingine-driver <?as required to have a certificate, and, this Bill required that mbtormen in charge of electric cars should also bo required to pass a test of efficiency. They had had ample _ demonstration of tfie need for such a provision in the past. There was no attempt, as had been alleged, to centralise the functions of the local Council in Wellington. When this fight for, tho •higher standard of efficiency took place, lie stated to the House, as ho stated now, that the men who stood m front of tho Auckland cars had to. face' "rain, hail, and snow, or any element that God liked to send along." Wo could not expect proper efficiency unions they had reasonable comfortß. It was only last week that lie got off a car that had brought 70 people into town at top speed and though it was only 9 o'clock in the morning he had to call the conductor's attention to part of the brake niochanism.