TRAMWAYS DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1938, Page 11

TRAMWAYS DISPUTE

"CERTAIN THREATS"

MAYOR'S STATEMENT

Friction has existed between the V/ellington Tramways' Union and the disputes committee recently over matters which are not disclosed. The award provides for disputes to be settled by a disputes committee consisting of representatives appointed by the employees and representatives appointed by the employers (the City Council), with a chairman agreed upon by them. The union now wishes to meet the tramways committee regarding matters in dispute, and unless this is agreed to before Monday next, certain threats are made. The Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) said that he had not intended to say anything at present, but in view of statements that had been published, he wished to make it clear that he had not authorised any other statement than one to the effect that the committee had arranged to meet representatives of the union at its next meeting. In view of what had appeared he now wished to clarify the position. "It is"a fact that the secretary of the union by letter asked for the investigation of certain matters by the Tramways Committee," said Mr. Hislop. "His request, following the usual course, was placed before the committee for consideration. . His letter was lengthy, and involved a number of matters. Owing to an exceptionally long order paper it was not possible at that meeting to consider adequately the many matters referred to. It was accordingly decided to defer consideration until the next meeting, and meantime to circu- [ late among the members of the committee the secretary's letter and the I award, with the manager's comments | thereon. The committee will therefore deal with the matter at its next ordinary meeting on September 12, at which representatives of the union will have the opportunity of appearing. "Since that meeting I* received the secretary's letter of August 15 containing certain threats. On receipt of this letter I asked the members of the committee to meet me and they unanimously, supported me in my attitude that we are not going to be influenced by threats or ultimatums. The representatives of the union will receive full and fair consideration at the meeting already .arranged. Meanwhile, the interests- of all concerned will be best served by doing nothing to prevent the meeting taking place in a calm and dispassionate atmosphere."