Mr. Bevin, on Sunday, addressed his men at a big
meeting at Hammersmith and strongly urged. acceptance. On Monday the men balloted and there was a 5,000 majority for acceptance (9,428 against 4,877). It was evident from the size of the minority vote and also from the reception that Mr. Bevin got at the meeting, that his recommendation of the terms was needed and that the result might have been different had he not made it. The terms provide for the grant of 6s. of the 8s. asked for by the uniformed staff, and an assurance that their wages shall drop more slowly when the cost of living falls, than they shall rise when the cost of living rises. The non-uniformed staff get an increase of 4s. a week, and a Committee is to be appointed to consider certain of their grievances on the question of night work and other problems. It is suggested that the Government made certain promises to the tramway authorities in order to obtain these terms. Probably they relate to the relieving of the trams of certain charges now made on them for the upkeep of roads. It is also supposed that the employers are hoping for improved receipts, under the provisions of the Traffic Act, which has just passed its second reading in the House. Otherwise it is not quite clear how the employers reconcile their previous position of avowing complete inability to pay the increase with their present one of granting three-quarters of it.
