.jpg)
The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 81
Introduction
Introduction.
The Auckland Electric Tramways Industrial Union of Workers, in issuing the proceedings before the Special Board of Conciliators in the Auckland Tramways Dispute, in book form, offer no apology for this publication. The public have a right to know, but do not know, the whole of the facts that led up to the second Auckland Electric Tramways Strike.
The first Tramway Strike occurred on November 14th, 1906, and lasted for a little over four hours. After this Strike the conditions under which the men worked were made easier, and this continued until the arrival of Mr. J. J. Walk late from England to supersede Mr. P. Hansen. The effect of his administration, after that of Mr. Hansen's, will be best gathered by a careful perusal of the evidence adduced before the Board; but it is sufficient to say that matters were strained between the Company and its employees over the amendment of the City By-laws, so as to allow of a greater number of passengers being carried on the cars than they were licensed to carry. Then followed the dismissal of Conductor Holden, in November, 1907, after giving evidence at an inquest, in which he reflected upon the brake equipment on the cars. After this six employees were dismissed in as many months, some with scant explanation, and others with no explanation at all.
The Union exhausted all constitutional means of endeavouring to get their grievances remedied, even to the extent of laying the grievances relative to the summary dismissals of the men before the Hons. J. A. Millar and J. McGowan, Ministers for Labour and Justice respectively, in correspondence extending over a period of five months, but could get no redress. The summary dismissal of Conductor Herdson, on May 16th, 1908, without a reason being given for such action, brought matters to a crisis, and at mass meetings of the Union held on May 20th it was decided to notify Mr. Walk late, the General Manager of the Company in Auckland, that unless the demands of the Union, as specified in detail, were conceded by noon on the following day the men would leave the cars.
No official answer to this ultimatum was received by the Union from Mr. Walklate, and accordingly at noon precisely on May 21st the men left their cars as they arrived at the Queen Street terminus. They were at once taken over by the officers of the Company, and sufficient steam was kept up at the Power House for two hours, to allow of the cars being
page break
safely housed at the respective depots, when the Firemen left work in a body. The Strike lasted four days, viz., from noon on Thursday until 3.30 p.m. on Monday. May 25th, when, as the result of negotiations that had been proceeding for two days previously between the two parties, an agreement was signed referring the whole dispute to a Special Board of Conciliators, under Clauses 51 and 52 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1905. At 4 o'clock the cars were running again, and the Tramway Strike of 1008 came to an end.
It has been decided by the Union that, in consequence of the meagre publication of the evidence by the daily Press, the general public can only express an opinion as to the justice of the finding of the Special Board by having the whole of the evidence taken at the inquiry placed before it. Many strictures have been cast upon the finding, but the Union has no hesitation in saying that these strictures are from biassed sources, and from persons who have not heard the whole case, but are content to obtain their opinions "ready made." The general public are earnestly urged to read the matter contained in this little publication, and then they will have no difficulty in arriving at a fair and honest conclusion as to whether the Union has proved its charges.
Arthur Rosser,
Secretary, A.E.T. Union.
.jpg)