THE SYDNEY TRAMWAYS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12402, 18 November 1908, Page 3

THE SYDNEY TRAMWAYS.

— : — o REPORT OF STRIKE COMMISSION. [United Pkess Association.! (Received Nov 17, 9.0 p.m.) . Sydney, Nov .17. A Tramway Board appointed as :a result of the late strike, to inquire into the relations of the Commissioners and the employees has presented its award. One of the men's chief grievances was the espionage system. The award provides that no conductor shall be punished for an irregular ' issue of tickets on the uncorroborated evidence of a special officer, or be punished for failing to collect a fare or the issue of a ticket in exchange for a fare, oil the information of a special officer, unless his attention was called to the irregularity at the time. When charges are made against them the men will be notified and allowed to examine reports and call evidence' on .: their own behalf. The award provides an all . round increase of sixpence . per day in wages, and makes a number of other modifications to the men's advantage. . The President of the Board, in delivering the award, said it had not been shown Jhat the irritation . of the men at the espionage system had any reasonable basis, or if it. was of such a character as to justify its continuance. As to another grievance, the eyesight tests, "he declared that these had not been unnecessarily harsh. It would be unsafe to allow men unable to comply therewith to drive trams in the streets. On the question of the guilt or innocence of Conductor Croucher, over whom the strike had been precipitated, the Board was equally divided, and the matter was decided by the casting vote- of the President. He 'came to the conclusion that Groucher's guilt had been established beyond air reasonable doubt. The award will give the Union substantial concessions. It is believed that the Commissioners will accept it loyally and that the Union will do the same. . .