THE AUCKLAND MEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18635, 29 April 1924, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND MEN

TWO DEFECTIONS REPORTED. TRAM WORKERS' SYMPATHY. A meeting of strikers was held at the Trades Hall yesterday at 10 a.m. The hall was crowded, the attendance being estimated at between 6CO and 800. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. W. Parry, M.P., F. Bartram, M.P., 0. Mcßrine and W. Hoole, president of the Tramways Union. The last mentioned assured the strikers that the tramwaymen were behind them and would assist them to the utmost. Mr. Parry said he did not see why the strike should not bo settled in twenty-four hours in view of the proposal made by the executive for the appointment of an independent tribunal to consider the men's claims. Subsequent to the meeting the president of the Auckland branch of the A.S.R.S., 'Mr. T. P. McCready, stated that so far only two of the local men who had come out had gone back to work. As a set off against these detections, he said, 21 new members had joined the union. He had been informed by Mr. M. J. Mack that only one man had returned to work in Wellington. The following telegram had also been received from Mr. Mack:—"The men are acting splefididly and are ss solid as ever. We are approaching the Government. Business men are interested. Don't move unless advised by us." A further telegram from Mr. Mack requested that the members of the E.F.C.A. be advised that the A.S.R.S. would stand by all men who became involved. Reinstatement and no victimisation would be the first condition of settlement. A telegram received at the Trades Hall yesterday, at 3.30 p.m., from t"he executive in Wellington was as follows : —" Advances made to Government. We expect developments to-day. Reports from all centres entirely satisfactory. Two guards assisted by head office staff and police protection working here." As to the management of the strike in Auckland Mr. McCready said a finance committee had been appointed to deal with any distress claims that may arise. There had been none so far, and he did net expect any. A social and dance would be held on Thursday night for tho entertainment of the strikers. Two delegates from Auckland had addressed meetings of railwaymen at Mercer on Saturday. They repgtted that the men were unanimous in their determination not to go back until the strike was settled on a satisfactory basis. A similar report had been received from Pukekohe. The locomotive men at the Auckland roundhouse went about their duties as usual yesterday. The engines required for the various services were manned without demur. An indication that the Frankton branch of the E.F.C.A. is following the same policy was given by the running of the train from and to Frankton. Advice has been received at tho Auckland sheds that there is no foundation for the report that the Greymouth locomotive men have struck. They are following the policy as laid down by Dominion headquarters—doing their own work, no more, no less.