THE TRAMWAY DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13967, 28 September 1918, Page 6

THE TRAMWAY DISPUTE

POSITION IN WELLINGTON

NO FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS. [BY telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Negotiations between the Wellington City Council and the tramway men have ceased, and are not likely to be reopened until the men decide to work under the agreement conditions. The shortage of men this morning through sickness was rather acute, but an improvement in that regard, and also in the speed of the cars, was noticeablo this afternoon. There was considerable overcrowding of the cars between 4.45 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. To obviate this it has been decided to charge a minimum fare of twopence between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. The Mayor strted to-day that the council's offer mea\ » a fraction over Is 3d an hour, which woi 1J be quite up to, or better than, the Auckland award just entered into. As to overtime, he stated that the men have always refused to allow a spare list, so that the council had been compelled to call some men back for rushtime duty. The Mayor hinted that the present state of affairs would not be permitted to continue. The council, he said, would not negotiate with " industrial rebels." He demanded that they should carry out the agreement entered into by them and by many men who are now valiantly taking their part at the front.