GO-SLOW POLICY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10083, 23 September 1918, Page 4

GO-SLOW POLICY

TRAMWAYMEN’S TACTICS AWKWARD POSITION REACHED. The latest phase of the tramway trouble is the adoption by the men of the “go slow” policy. There appears to ho no doubt about the fact, that thig policy lias been , put into operation. The result of this on Saturday was that the service was seriously disorganised. and the overcrowding was consequently more acute. The “go slow” method wa s followed put by. driving the cars at a .low rate of speed at intervals, and .also, it is stated, by the cars being halted at all “request stops.” The majority of the cars did not go at remarkably slow speed, but the” most noticeable feature was that the drivers of the cars were particularly conscientious in seeing that the cars did not travel too fast, and that every passenger could safely and even leisurely alight at each stopping place. The result was that on all routes many of the cars were several minutes behind schedule time. Asked by a “New Zealand Times” reporter yesterday as to what eetfet the “go slow” policy had had on the cars, Mr D. McOillivray (traffic manager) said there was no doubt that the men had, gone slow, and this had resulted in the disorganisation of the sovico to a very considerable extent. Overcrowding was very severe on Saturday, particularly in the evening. . The department would take what steps it could to remedy the trouble during the week if the men persisted in their tactics. THE LEGAL ASPECT. The legal aspect of the attitude, ot the tramwaymon has become more definite in view of the latest' tactics of the men. The “go slow” policy is an offence under the War Regulations if it is done deliberately. A Labour Department official told a “Times” reporter yesterday that it had been Vuled some time ago ‘ with reference’ to the coal miners that to go slotf is practically the same as knocking off work, it was just a question of degree. The Mayor was interviewed yesterday morning, but would make no other statement beyond ■ that - he could state emphatically that a “go slow” system was being practised, This could ba confirmed by, observation. It is understood that legal action may ho taken within a day or two. THE MEN’S WAGES BILL. The Mayor states that the amount of money the tramway men want on top of what they are getting is £12,000 a year. The gross amounts paid annually in wages since 1913-14 were a a fol- ■ low;—1913-14, £73,724; 1914-15, £B2, v . 412; 1915-16, £91,450; 1916-17, £95.491; 1917-18, £97,540. These figures' represented an increase in wages ot 323 per cent, for the war period; It the- £12,000 the men were- demanding ’ were ■ added- on- the total paid in tramway wages for the - last financial year, the bill for the'city 'would be £109,640. This amount'could , not ba '“ paid without making a seriou s call-on•-the public purse through the fares. . RAILWAYMEN’S SYMPATHY. . At a. meeting of the Thorndon branch ; of the Amalgamated Society of .Railway ' Servants of. New Zealand, held yesterday, the, agitation of the Tramwaymep for an increase of .wages was discussed, when the. following resolution waa, unanimously passed:— “That this branch expresses its sympathy with the tramwaymen in their endeavours to get an increase ’la wages, and that, we are absolutely against taking into consideration overtime and Sunday time in calculating a basic wage.”