THE TRAMWAYS DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16848, 13 May 1918, Page 4

THE TRAMWAYS DISPUTE

♦ THIRD CONFERENCE SOUGHT. MEN ASK FOR REPLY TO-DAY. Further developments in connection with the dispute between the Auckland Tramways Union and the company are being awaited. The decisions arrived at by the two meetings of the men on Thursday last have been communicated by the union. to the general manager of the' company, Mr. J. J. Walklate. This decision was to the effect that the union was willing to again meet their employers in conference' under the presidency either of the conciliation commissioner, Mr. T. Harle Giles, or the Hon. George Fowlds, subject to the approval of the Minister for Labour, provided that the company would agree to the chairman being given a casting vote. The letter, which was received by the company on Saturday, proceeds —"Failing an acceptance by the company of the proposals, endorsed by the union, this union determines that further action in. this dispute shall be according to the procedure provided by the Labour Disputes Investigation Act." The union .concluded with a request for a reply by ten o'clock this morning. If the -company does not accept the union's proposal in regard to a third conference the registrar of awards will take a secret ballot of the members of the union as to whether a strike shall take place. Should the vote be in favour of a strike, seven days' notice of the intention to cease work must be given.