THE DRAINAGE BOARD AND TRAMWAYS.

Evening Star, Issue 11943, 20 July 1903, Page 3

THE DRAINAGE BOARD AND TRAMWAYS.

The peculiar policy of the Drainage Board is again likely to cause annoyance and perhaps personal loss. As stated by us on. Saturday, owing to the delay in obtaining the necessary Order-in-Council, large numbers of men now at work may have to be paid off. The Trades and Labor Council promptly took this phase, of the question up, and the following messages will show their position in the matter:— "The Right Hon. the Premier, Welling-ton.—-Trades'Council appeal to you to procure immediate passing of Order-iri-Council for Dunedin tramways. Informed by mayor large number of men ■ will be discharged from works to-morrow if Order delayed.— Bkebn, Secretary." Mr H. D. Bedford, M.H.R., was also communicated with as follows:—" Trades Council appeal to self and colleagues to urge .« .ediate parsing of Order-in-Coun-cil for jJunedin tramways. Informed by mayor number of men will be discharged from works to-morrow if Order- delayed!" Mr Bedford replied as follows:—"Colleagues and myself have seen Minister. He absolutely refuses to pass Order-in-Council until after conference of Council and Drainage Board." The Premier replied on Saturday:—"The matter is in the hands of the Minister of Public Works, and, from what I learn, a conference has been arranged between- the City Council and the Drainage Board, and an Order-in-Council will follow."