THE SYDNEY TRAM TROUBLE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12621, 18 November 1908, Page 2

THE SYDNEY TRAM TROUBLE.

— ♦ Preea Association .—Telegraph —Copyright. SYDNEY, November 17. The Tramway Board, which was appointed as a result ut the late strike, to inquire into the relations of the ci'inmissioners and the employees, has piesented its award. One of the men's chief grievances was the espionage system. The award provides that no conductor shall be punished for the irregular issue of a ticket on the uncorroborated evidence of a special officer or punished for failing- to collect a fare or issue a ticket in exchange for a fare on the information of a special officer unless his attention is called to the irregularity at the time when the charges are made against him. The men are to be notified, allowed to examine reports and to call evidence on their own behalf. The award provides for an allround increase of sixpence per day in wa«res, 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 that irritation of the men at the espionage system had any reasonable basis, or was of such a character as to justify its continuance. Another grievance was the eyesight tests. The report declared that these were not necessarily harsh, as it would be unsafe to allow men unable to comply therewith to drive trams in streets." On the question of the guilt or innocence of Conductor Croucher, over whom the strike was precipitated, the Board was equally divided. The matter was decided on the casting- vote of the President. He came to the conclusion that Croucher's guilt was established beyond all reasonable doubt. The award gives the Union substantial concessions. It is believed the Commissioners will accept it loyally and the Union have been appealed to to do the same.