TRAMMIES' TROUBLES

NZ Truth, Issue 873, 19 August 1922, Page 5

TRAMMIES' TROUBLES

Dispute Reaches Deadlock

More About Milk.

Just before "Truth" went to. press "The Man at the Corner" dropped m to talk about the troubles of the "trammies4' The substance lof the conversation was, as follows: • 'IHave you heard about the euribus situation that has arisen over the fuss with the Wellington -tramway men?" "No, nothing beyond what has been published m the' daily papers." "They haven't got at the real facts leading up to ■ the present, deadlock at all. It is perfectly true that the 4 City Council will not agree to stabilise the wages of the men for twelve months, but that decision has been arrived at m direct opposition to the wishes and recommendations of the general manager of tramways, Bill Morton." "Why that seems astounding. Surely the City Fathers would riot go behind the recommendation of the one man who knows most about dealing with the tramwaymen to the best advantage of the men and the users of the trams." "Well, that's precisely what they have done. As the result of the discussions before the Conciliation Council, Tramways Manager Morton agreed to recommend to the City Council that the men should not be subject to any further cut m wages ' for a year, the assessors for the union being willing to sign up an agreement on that basis. The G.M.s recommendation came before the last meeting of the Council and was turned down flatly because the Council insists on the men going under the Arbitration Court." "What does the general manager think of it? Not much, no doubt. Almost looks like a vote of no-con-fidence." "He's - not pleased, I- hear, but the union representatives who met Mr. Morton and his colleagues before the Conciliation Council are flabbergasted. They ask what is the use of making tentative agreements with City Council assessors when that august body "may treat them as scraps of paper?" "This may lead to a strike." <f lt may, but I don't think so. The union says it has something good up its collective sleeve for -the City Council to blink over later on. Don't be surprised if you see the union" seek an injunction m the Supreme Court to prevent the City Council from putting the last five bob cut of the Arbitration Court into operation. Lawyer Mick Myers is acting as guide, philosopher and friend to the tranimies, and on points of law he's some guides believe me. It's quite on the cards that the .City Council will yet get a 230-volt shock." ' "Has Conciliation Commissioner Bill Newton done anything?" "Yes, I believe he has had speech with Mayor Wright, but has come to the conclusion that the heart of the ;Sphinx would be easier, to soften." MUD-DLED MILK. "I hear you looked m at a meeting at which the Wellington City Fathers were struggling to carry out their paternal civil functions." f "Yes, I blew along to see how things were going so far as the administration of the affairs of the village was concerned." "Anything doing?" "No, not much, but it -was a horrifcle. windy night." "Oh. „Who was working the bellows?" "Well, it seemed to me that Councillor Boyd Norwood was unusually eloquent." :■' , "You mean Mr. Norwood, the gas and motor man." "No, he's hot a gasman now, he's a milkman. Suppose you know he has been largely instrumental m securing a reduction from 7d to 5%d a quart?" "What, beer 5%d a quart! Sure, he 'is a philanthropist." "Not beer, friend, Milk!" "Beg pardon, yes, milk. They tell me that Councillor Norwood gave a wonderfully lucid explanation as to how the reduction is to be made." "He tried to. There was a lot about butter-fat, summer-fat, winter-fat, fat consumers and fat' contract prices." "What were the views of councillors?" ; . : "They were stunned. Councillor Tom Forsyth— the nark of the Council they say— sought clarity on some points, but couldn't see through them, even after the Milkman's explanation. It was here that Jimmy Dale's comment was so pertinent. I caught hia words." ' r What was his observation?" "'Clear as mud!'"