EXPUNGING A MINUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 14

EXPUNGING A MINUTE.

TRAMWAYMEN'S PROTEST.

BOARD SEEKS ARBITRATION

DENIAL OF ALLEGED THREATS

The continued refusal of the Auckland Tramways Union to accede to the demand of the Transport Board to expunge a minute recorded in its books led Ibo board yesterday to suggest recourse to arbitration as a means of escaping from (lie present deadlock. The suggestion is (bat Mr. Justice Blair, acting-presi-dent of the Arbitration Court, should be invited to hear both sides and pronounce judgment, which should bo accepted by both parties. The minute to which objection is taken records the union's disapproval of tho action of six members 111 giving evidence on behalf of tho management in a recent case heard before Ihe Appeal Board. The demand that this resolution should bo expunged is described as "an interference with the domestic affaiis of tho union," which informed the board yesterday that "the resolution is in accordance with law and within the scope of our authority, dealing as it does with a past transaction."

" Unwise Counsels." "This dispute has a serious effect on tho conduct of tho board's affairs," said the chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum "It is our duty to see that tho public has tho best possible service under all conditions, and in order to givo that service tho management is called upon to hold many inquiries into one thing and another. Unless there is absolute freedom of action it will be impossible to conduct our affairs in a proper and just manner. I regret that umviso counsels have put the men in a position which is unfortunate " It appeared that no agreement existed between tho board and tho union, Mr. Allum continued. Therefore it was urgent that tho matter in dispute should bo settled amicably as soon as possible. His motion was that the matter should be the subject of arbitration.

; 'Let bygones be bygones," said Mr. E. 11. Potter, in moving an amendment that tho union's communication should be received and no further action taken. "It is not in tho interests of this board, nor in those of the men, that any hasty action should bo taken. There is no agreement between tho board and the men, and we have no standing before the Arbitration Court at tho present time. Tho best method is to continue negotiations, and to allow any matter that has arisen through bad feeling to lapse." The Alleged Threats.

Mr. E. S. Morton, who seconded tho amendment, said that it would bo unwiso to force tho pace. "The proposal of tho chairman may bring about a condition which will be detrimental to the convenience of the travelling public," he said. "Have we the right to demand that the union shall expunge a resolution it has passed ? I havo heard threats made to the men only in this boardroom that they are liablo to imprisonment for seven years " Mr. M. J. Coyle: By whom ? Mr. Morton: Tho board's solicitor read it at tho instigation of the chairman. Mr. Allum; Mr. Stanton did nothing of the kind. He was asked to read a clause from tho Act. Ho neither threatened tho men nor acted at my instigation.

Mr. Morton. He told them that they wero liable to instant dismissal. Is not that a threat ?

Invasion ; o 1 Litigants' Rights

Mr. Coylc: What would our position bo if ono of our officers got into trouble and it came to the knowledgo of tho mngistrato that a resolution had been passed saying that no member was to give evidence against him? Tho board's solicitor, Mr. J. Stanton: Thero can be no doubt that a magistrate would condemn it as a serious invasion of the rights of litigants. Air. Coyle said that bo could never acquiesco in the union's attitude, which was contrary to fair play. Taken as a whole tho men were a very fine lot, and he would be very sorry to seo them led away by bad leaders. The membership of the union was in the vicinity of 1200, but ho would like to know how many men were present at tho mass meetings. Mr. Morton: You ask tho union. Mr. Coyle: You know very well how many were there. I seriously hope that the men will see reason and change their minds.

Mr. Allum's Pica. Mr. Allurn said that ho was perfectly satisfied with tho board's employees, but in an organisation of its size it was inevitable that all should not measure up to an identical standard of reasonable men. lie was confident, however, that wiso counsels would prevail. The amendment was lost, arid Mr. Allum's motion was carried. It read: "This board feels that, in view of the attitude of tho union as expressed in its recent resolutions and correspondence, a deadlock has arisen, and in order to ex haust all possible methods of securing an amicable settlement of tho points at issue, the board suggests that the union should join with it in submitting the whole matter to tho acting-president, of the Arbitration Court,, Mr. Justice Blair, both parties agreeing that they will abide by and carry out his decision in all respects; should Mr. Justice Blair be uil» able to act then tho matter to be submitted to someono nominated by him."