CITY TRAMWAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7916, 27 September 1911, Page 1

CITY TRAMWAYS

MANAGEMENT AND WAGES

CONSIDERATION DEFERRED TILL MONDAY.

The City Council held a special meeting last night to consider the report of Air Stuart Richardson, electrical engineer, upon the city tramways. This question has been deferred for some Months. In the meantime the Tramways Union has referred its claims for a readjustment of wages and conditions to the Conciliation Council.

There were present—Councillors John Smith (Deputy-Mayor), F. Cohen, 6. Frost, J. Trevor, J. Godber, A. R. Atkinson, L. McKenzie, W. H. P. Barber, J. E. Fitzgerald, John Fuller, R. A. Cameron, D. McLaren, M.P., G. Shirtcliffe, A. H. Hindmarsh, and R. Fletcher.

The Deputy-Mayor said it was for tho meeting to say whether this matter -should be deferred until such time as the Mayor (Mr Wilford) could be present. He thought it was only right to give tho Mayor an opportunity of presiding, seeing that he had taken such interest in the question since it first came before the council. He understood the Mayor could not be present this week, but they could, to meet Mr Wilfofd’s convenience, meet on some afternoon next week. He moved accordingly. Councillor Trevor said in this particular instance tho Mayor had taken the initiative, and he should like him to he present. Councillor Hindmarsh hoped that the council would go on. This matter had now been hanging over since last October. It had been referred to the Conciliation Council, and he was sure they did not want if to go there if they could possibly make any other arrangement. ' Some of the councillors were glad of tho excuse to put it off again. Councillors: No. Councillor Fletcher: You’ve no right to say so.

Councillor Hindmarsh: With all due respect, the Mayor knows no more about this matter than any other councillor.

Councillor Barber urged the council to do something in regard to the .tramwaymen’s wages. The. delay was causing great unrest, and he did not think there should be any further postponement.

Councillor Cameron considered the financial aspect of the tramways, was unsound. They were losing money daily on the tramways. The Deputy-Mayor: I don’t think you are justified in saying that on a motion for adjournment.

Councillor Atkinson believed that the Mayor should be present. The Mayor possessed an expert knowledge of, his own on this question, and as chairman of the tramways committee was in constant touch with the corporation offi-

Councillor McLaren thought they should go on, even if they did not complete the work. ' The feeling amongst the tramwaymen was intensely acute.

Councillor Shirtcliffe claimed; that the Mayor was much more conversant with the details of the work of the tramways than any of them, and they should give him an opportunity of being present.

Councillor Fuller did’ not wish to see the broader question of tramway management burked by the question of wages. ; .

Councillor Frost reminded the council that a concern in which half a million was invested was at stake. No one was more conversant with it than the Mayor. Councillor Fletcher said he would favour'an adjournment provided it was understood that if the Mayor could not attend the next meeting they would definitely go on with the business. Councillor Fitzgerald felt that the meeting should go on with the business. They were asking a sick 1 -man to preside at a meeting, which would probably .last five or sis hours.. ■ , The motion for adjournment was carried by 8 votes to 7. The council will meet on Monday afternoon to consider the question. CHRISTCHURCH DISPUTE. muss association. CHRISTCHURCH, September 26. The dispute botv een the, Christchurch Tramway Employees’ Union and the Christchurch Tramway, Board was before the Conciliation Council to-day, but reporters were excluded.