WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 31 January 1912, Page 5

WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS

MEETING OF LABOR UNIONS

PROBABILITY OF A GENERAL

STRIKE

BY TELEGRAPH—PEESB ASSOCIATION,

WELLINGTON Jan. 30. The executive of the Tramway Employees' Union is pursuing a policy of secrecy. This morning a meeting of the executive took place. There were present representatives of nearly all the unions belonging to the Trades and Labor Council, including Mr W. BVYoung, president of the Trades and Labor Council, and secretary of tho Seamen's Union; Mr M. J. Reardon; secretary of the General Laborers' Union; Mr E. J. Carey, secretary of the Cooks and Waiters' Union; Mr W. C. Noot, secretary of the Electrical Workers' Union; Mr D. Blackie, secretary of the Drivers' Union, and other union secretaries. The position was explained .to the visitors by Mr Sutherland, secretary of the Tramways' Union, .and then the party adjourned to the club room of the men at the car sheds. The meeting commenced at 11 o'clock, and continued till nearly 1 o'clock. :- ■■ , n The representatives of other unions were received with cheers by. the tramway men present, the room being crowded. Speeches were delivered by the Labor leaders present, who assured the tramway men of the support of the various workers represented. The remarks of various speakers were received with cheers and applause, especially the exhortation of one secretary, who urged the tramway men to stand firm to their principles and fight their cause to a finish. The" situation was discussed generally, and the result was an agreement to strike. What particular policy the executive proposes to adopt, and when the strike will take place, none of the tramway men present would divulge. A pledge of secrecy has been given by the tramway men. It is quite possible that 7 work will cease at a moment's notice. The City Council at time of wiiting, <foas not yet received any notice from the union of the men's intention to leave work. The tramway men, according to statements of several to-day, are very loth to strike, but on principle they feel that there is nothing for them to do but to cease work unless Inspector Fuller resigns. The men employed in the power-houses and ear sheds are all to come out in sympathy with the tramway men, and the unions belonging to the Federation of Labor, represented by Mr P.- Hiekey, are determined to supoort the tramway people in every possible way. N It is undei-stood that the signing of the notice to be sent, to the' City Council of the intention of the union to cease work has been completed. The men had a fourth meeting tonight, at which addresses were delivered by the representatives of both Federations of Labor. ' It is understood that cars will cease running from 2 to 4.p.m. to-morrow, in order to get a full meeting of the men, and that the meeting will decide whether a strike ,shall take place, and, if so, when.