Stoppage Of Trams In Dunedin Likely

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 January 1948, Page 5

Stoppage Of Trams In Dunedin Likely

(P.A.) Dunedin, Jan. 28 Unless negotiations being undertaken by the Department of Labour and Employment Detween parties in the present transport dispute prove successful, it appears probable that the stopwork meeting arranged for 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon by the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Trainways’ Union will take place and the public will be deprived of its transport services. The district superintendent ot the department, Mr. W. 11. Cadwallader, said tonight that investigations into the dispute had been made by ollicers of the department and the position discussed with both parties. Up to tonight, however, no settlement had been reached, but Mr. Cadwallader said a further attempt would be made if settlement cannot be arrived at. It seems certain that for the second time this week, all city transport will come to a standstill at 2 p.m. while members of the union discuss what further steps they are to take. The transport committee of the City Council is taking a definite stand in the dispute, and considers that the only solution lies in the procedure prescribed by the Tramways’ Act.

Unless there has been a change of opinion among members of the union since the meeting on Tuesday, it seems doubtful whether they will be satisfied with anything less than reinstatement of the employee recently dismissed. If some such settlement is not reached, it is predicted by tramwaymen that direct action might well result, and city transport services be immobilised for an indefinite period.