UNREST IN TRAM SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1223, 4 September 1911, Page 4

UNREST IN TRAM SERVICE.

OUTSPOKEN COMPLAINTS AT A CIIKISTCIU'RCII MEETING.

(% Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, September 3. A mooting of tho Tramway Employees' Vnion was hold At midnight on Saturday to discu«s tlio alleged pin-pricking methods of the trallic management. The president of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, and a monitor of the executive thereof, wero present, and about onehalf of the members directly interested in tho matter attended. A number of men gave instances of what: they alleged showed (he injustice of the board's merit and demerit system. Several stated that the system was being used to oust moa against whom tlio board's olliccrs had taken a dislike. A motion was proposed that the board bo asked to abolish the system within a week, and some speakers urged that, if the request were not granted, the men should immediately resign from the service. It was pointed out, however, that this would practically amount Hi -a strike, which would involve tho union and individual members in heavy financial liabilities. Tho president of the Trades Council, in assuring the union of the council's sopport, said that he fully recognised the responsibility of what lie was saying when lie stated thai: ho regarded the system as an insult lo the manhood and intelligence of any body of men. It was ultimately decided to call a meeting, and place tho men's grievances before tho public. One speaker said that a local member of Parliament had told him (hat if ho (the member) could not do away villi the merit and demerit system lie would "eat his lial," and got out of politics. A gold medal, inscribed, and a gold albert were presented to a conductor who, when the motorman had been swept off his car by his body coming in contact with a centre-pole, got from tho rear trailer to the electric car and slopped it. Tlio board had awarded (ho conductor 20 merit marks for his actiop-