TRAMWAY TROUBLE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 80, 1 October 1918, Page 8

TRAMWAY TROUBLE

NO SETTLEMENT IN SIGHT

MEN TO HOLD MEETINGS TO-

MORROW.

■ There are no further developments today in regard to the, tramway trouble. There was a meeting of the Tramways Committee of the City Council yesterday, but to-day the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) told a Post representative that there was nothing to report, as the position was unchanged. A somewhat depleted service and the usual overcrowd-, ing were in strong evidence, yesterday. -

. Some, doubt has been expressed in certain quarters as to'the absolute genuineness. 1 of' at least ' some of the cases where tramway'men have, reported sick and unfit for duty, which has interfered with the service.. In conversation with a Post reporter, Mr. J, Hutchison, the secretary of, the Tramways Union, said that there was no.doubt whatever, from investigations made, that the men are really suffering fixrai the .epidemic of in; fluenza. at present in evidence in Wellington. He pointed out that the City Council has power to investigate any case it desires. • . • . '• . .' "

Concerning the recent shortages in cash . returns, Mr. Hutchison confirmed the statement/that already there'is very considerable feeling among .the men on this subject. As a matter, of fact shortages during the past fourteen days have totalled £36 11s 3d, and it is contended that it is very easy for the men, iv the present rush to collect fares in much overcrowded cars to either, give too much change or duplicate tickets, or even have money drop out of their bags. Meetings of the men are to be held tomorrow—in the morning and in! the evening. Amongst the subjects _to. be discussed will be the suggestion from the Island Bay Municipal Electors' Association that the parties to the dispute should meet in . conference under the presidency of a Minister of the Crown. In this connection the Mayor states that the proposal ■will probably be discussed.