STAFF UNDER FIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 February 1934, Page 7

STAFF UNDER FIRE.

Is There Slacking on the Trams? A MEMBER'S QUESTION. The allegation that there had been a lack of discipline among the Tramway Board staff in recent weeks was made at the meeting of the board this afternoon by Mr C. E. Jones. Mr Jenes mentioned particularly the evidence of smoking and an increasing spirit of inc.pcndence, probablv the result of rationing and the general unrest over the situation in the minds of the public. Mr Jones said there appeared to be a feeling in the minds of the public that a great deal of slacking was going on and the best spirit was not shown in the service. Half a dozen people had spoken to him of the matter. There was not the keenness that there shoulct be. and he thought it had something to do -with rationing. Evidence Asked For. The chairman (the Rev J. K. Archer) asked if there was sufficient evidence for the accusation. There was an idea abroad that the board wai prepared to wink at some things. In the- Labour movement that was a gross and unjustifiable libel. So far as he was concerned, he would vote for the dismissal of any man high or low who did not do his work honestly. 44 What I want to know.” he said, 44 is who are the slackers?’’ Were they the men who had been put down in the grading or others? Whoever they were, the matter of slackness would secure dismissal, lie had heard the highest praise of the workers on Riocarton Road, one section mentioned by Jones. He had more confidence in the staff than to think that they were in any way taking advantage of the board. Mr Jones said that he personally had not noticed any evidence of slackness. He brought the matter up because it had been freely mentioned. Mr W. J. Walter said the men were extraordinarily good men. “ Valuable Services.’* Mr G. T. Thurston described Mr Jones’s statement regarding the men on Riccarton Road as a 44 public slander.” These men were rendering the board one of the most valuable services that could be performd. lie thought, in justice to the men, Mr Jones should be asked to withdraw the statements. Mr J. Mathison: Or substantiate them. Mr Thurston: Yes. Withdraw or justify them. Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., said that not only the men but the management were being slandered. Every part of the system was open to Mr Jones’s review, but if the board listened to every little-tattle from passers-by on the road it would be in endless trouble. It was also unfair to attack men who could not reply. Mr Jones said he made no charge against the men.