ANOTHER STRIKE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13601, 22 May 1908, Page 5

ANOTHER STRIKE.

AUCKLAND TRAM EMPLOYEES OUT. "A STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE." Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 21, Punctually at 12 noon, the red flag was hung out from Palmer,ston buildings, near the tramway terminus at the Queen Street Wharf. A few cars were then at the terminus, and the conductors and iiotormen stepped off, handing their controller handles to the officers of the Tramway Company. As the other cars arri"ed their motormen and conductors adopted the same course, while the police took the- names of each man, probably with a view, to their prosecution for a breach of the city by-laws in leaving the cars, standing in the streets. The street speedily filled with cars, and the sidewalks were crowded with spectators, bub there was no public demonstration beyond a little hooting of the police, and the cheering of the men as they left the cars. Spectators took charge of the cars and drove them back empty, the employees at the power-house remaining on duty to permit this- to be done, after which it is understood that they also will come out. At 11.30 a.m. the Tramway Union held a final meeting to consider a communication received from Mr Walklate, in reply to the ultimatum. Mr Rosser explained to an attendance of sixty that he had delivered the ultimatum at 9 o'clock. Two hours later he received a reply suggesting that a small deputation meet him to discuss matters. A brief but warm discussion followed, the opinion being favourable to a Strike at noon unless the Company agreed to the Union's demands. An amendment favoured adjourning the strike till 2 o'clock, and appointing the Mayor as arbitrator, but it was defeated by an overwhelming majority. 1 The following telegram was despatched to the Minister of Labour: —" Tlie Government not being able to do anything for us in bringing to book the autocratic general manager, my Union in self-defence has decided to leave the cars unless out stipulations are agreed to. Our actions are not against the Arbitration Act, butit. is a struggle for existence." Soon after 1 o'clock the whole of the cars had been left at the terminus and the Tram Company, making no. attempt, to continue the service, despatched the cars in batches to the barns. • Queen Street lemained full of excited spectators up to 2 o'clock, but the absence of the cars took awav much of the spectacular effect, and with" a very strong force of police in evidence everything passed off quietly. Mr Shanaghan, officer in charge of the Labour Bureau, waited on the Mayor this morning and pointed out the seriousness of the tram crisis, Mr Myers replied that

lie fully realised the inconvenience to the public which would result from a strike, if both sides were, agreeable, Jie was willing 'to mediate. He- added, that, according to the deed 1 of delegation, the Trainway Company .-was not responsible .lor carrying on the service ,in the event ofa strike. The men would be warned that if tvliey left the ears iri the'streets they would be liable to prosecution iQp : a breach of the by-law*. It is claimed by the company that their position is unassailable in sa...far as the discharge of the conductpi-/|ijferdson) -is concerned. It is stated} : shafc'under: the agreement made after,. Jlie.,, dispute with the men last year, no; summary dismissal could take place except . a good reason were given by the- cotopaiiy, but, the pany had the privilege pf 1 discharging"a. man without any explanation s6 long an. a week's notice was given. . Herdson .was dismissed, and given a, week's. wages' in lieu of notice. This afternoon a mass meeting of members of the Union was held.. Mr Rogsct, the Union secretary, saict! .tliat -the Union and the men associated with it had thiit iity covered themselves with glory. He was pleased to say that the firemen at the power-house had ' joined in - th§. strike ; they had come out- in sympathy r.vith the motcirmen and conductor*. • ' Half of iheni were not members of the Union. He, liad had a conference withi-a leading tcwrniman and had been informed by. that g<.ntlem£in that if a truce was declared he thought they would get everything askad : for. ' ;A meeting w-as then held, at' wliivVh .over 60 members of the Union were present. \ An amendment had been .proposed 'that \a truce be called till 2 o'clock,-but- this'was over-ruled by 48 to 3. After the flag had been put up denoting the dec ision, to strike, Mr Baume, M.P., had eoms.to him and said he would like to see the niattpr settled. He (Mr Rosser) had replied that- they were willing .for a- settlement; but it must, be brought about bu';iour|bly. Mr Baume had suggested a > with the*general manager, and'ihe spfak£r liad replied that the general nif.iiager should come to them. £

Up to a late hour to-night there 'Ver-e no signs of a settlement of t Vie tr; mway trouble. Mr Rosser and (Hher.y> secretaries had a. conferenps- with the Mayor to-night, and suggestions were made which- will be laid befor a meeting of the men to-morrow. I On being asked .to-nhut what steps' the company proposed tr. take in regard to the .strike," the. gpner :: manager -'Mr'Walk-lat-a) said :—' It. difficult.-.to t>ay.l'ntil. we see That- transpires to-morrovy,' r Beyond that he ..vould ifiake no statement. WELLINGTON, May 21. The Wellington - Trades "and-r labour Civ iicil passed- a T£feolution sympathising with the-Aucldand+strikers.-*