TRAMWAYS GO-SLOW

Evening Star, Issue 23564, 1 May 1940, Page 5

TRAMWAYS GO-SLOW

AMBLING ALONG IN THE “ SAFE WAY " THE AUCKLAND DISPUTE IPeb United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 30. The dispute between the , Auckland 1 Transport Board and the tramwaymen, and the subsequent “ go-slow ” on the i tracks caused inconvenience. The men i are claiming an 8 per cent, increase in' wage to meet higher cost of living. | Following a protracted discussion • with representatives of the unions concerned, who W'ere supported by officials of the Auckland District Council of the Federation of Labour, the board decided yesterday that the clause under which the claim for wages increases is being made should be referred to the Arbitration Court for an interpretation, and, if the court should not uphold the claim for 8 per cent., then it should be asked to declare the increase to which the men are entitled under the clause. The clause under which the men’s demand is made provides that proof of a rise or a decrease can be given either through a pronouncement of the Arbitration Court or through the official records of the Government Statistician. The. agreements further stipulate that, in the event of failure to agree on any question arising -under the foregoing clapss then thC differenco between, the parties shall be referred to the Arbitration ■ Court. The men’s representatives, however, were not prepared to accept the board’s suggestion that the case should be taken into the court, and from the first shift this morning the motormen and conductors on all routes worked what they term “ safety first principles,” or their interpretation of certain regulations designed for the safety of the public. It is pointed out that these regulations, if strictly adhered to, make it~ impossible for the tramway service to work smoothly to schedule. That this is so was impressed very forcibly on members of the public this morning. During the rush hours the delays were most marked, particularly in Queen street, where trams banked up from the foot of Queen street to Victoria street. Many travellers gave up endeavouring to make the foot of Queen street by tram and they walked. They won easily in the race, for the tramcars were not really serious competitors. They were ambling along in the “ safe way,” the conductors making sure that the platforms were clear before budging from the safety zones. Furthermore, the public learned, often to their sorrow, that tramcars are built to accommodate a certain number of passengers and the regulations permit of only a certain number of “ straphangers.” Normally a conwould urge passengers to “ move along inside, please,” to cram just another man or woman on board, but today he grinned broadly at intending passengers who congregated on the sidewalks, and the motorman, having been given the signal that the car had its full complement, dutifully failed to stop. It was just the regulations as interpreted by the men. If an intending passenger was making a run for it and there was still room for him, the motorman was sure to notice his plight and wait until he was safely on board. The conductors and motormen got black jooks from fluffy-haired typists and shop girls, and were openly abused by male passengers. It was “ just like pouring water on a duck’s back,” however, for the trams did not travel any faster towards their destinations. An extraordinary number of trams also seemed to take the wrong turning at points, and, of course, here again there was more delay and back shunting. Some typists were almost in tears as they realised that time was speeding past the hour at which they wore due' at their desks. There was no doubt as to the inconvenience caused members of the - public, and the lateness of their arrival at work varied from five minutes to 45 minutes.