SYDNEY TRAMWAYS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 261, 28 July 1908, Page 7

SYDNEY TRAMWAYS.

THE STRIKE 6DIGOOK, ALLECED WEAKENINCfOF;THE MEN... RAILWAYMEN DOUBTFUL'. (fil TELEGRAPH— PSESS ASSOCIATION—COITRrGHT.j S.ydneyj July 27. • The speeches at the demonstration in the Domain were moderate in'character One speaker declared: "The strike is now in the hands of the Labour Council, with 80,000 unionists behind them, aiidl th'eyiwill see us through." Another big demonstration was held at Newtown. The strikers are receiving raany. messa'ges of support. The Miners' Federation and Wharf Labourers' Union:adopteA;resolutions of sympathy, and promised their support. The Victoria Labour party has also expressed sympathy. The Coal Lumpers' Union have 'notified the southern coal-owners that they will not rosume working till two o'clock to-day, to onable them to attend a mass meeting,'which' it is stated has been called to deal witlrsome internal -trouble; but it is believed it also lias a bearing on the tram trouble. Parliamentary Labour Party. It is reported that the State Parliamentary Labour party has been opposed to'the strike throughout, and is unfavourable to its extension. , . Trams are running this morning, ' and an improved service is promised during the day; The authorities profess to have no fear, of being able to' maintain the power supply. They have also received numerous volunteer offers of help to run the trams. It is admitted on all hands that the position in regard to the strike is rery. critical, and will need most careful handling, or a general strike may be precipitated. All sorts of rumours are current regarding 'today's developments, which-are likely to prove momentous, and are anxiously awaited. Government's Plans.

Tho Government's intention to take.action under the Industrial Disputes Act is assumed to mean either that they w-ill agree to,the appointing of a tribunal to consider the ;dispute, or that it will bo decided to arrest the striko leaders.

Tho executive of tho Railway Ehgincroen sat all yesterday, and at the conclusion of tho meeting the secretary announced that it had been decided to stand by tho stiikers ' and that whether immediate action would-be. taken depended upon the reply of the.Chief Commissioner of Railways to' a request to bq made to him this morning. . CONDITIONAL PROCEEDINGS. NOT TO BE PRESSED, lI?;,THE MEN GIVE WAY." v NO OUTSIDE TRIBUNAL. (Bee. July 27, 10,15 p.m.) - Sydney,'July-27r~ Drenching rain has fallen without intermission throughout the day/:..-'.The : congregated in large force.'"at"'the Trades' Hall, whore various' committees conferred: Tho strictest secrecy was preserved. The policy of the Unions was apparently to ttark time pending tho result' of a deputation of Labour members to the Premier (Mr. Wade). Tho doputiition saw Mr. Wade in tho forenoon, and ho promised to'.gjve'them' a reply later. • ' .' Meantime, following upon-.a .Cabinet meeting, applications were mado to, Judge Heydon, President of the Indus|ria] .Disputes,. Court, on behalf of tho Attorney;-, General, ,to prosecute Mr. Lawton (President) . and".Mr. Warton (Secretary) of the . .Tramway- Employees' Union, on a chaise of instigating " a striko, and to prosecute twenty-six'members, of the Union, for applications were granted. .

Mr. Wado again saw the deputation this afternoon, and reiterated the intention of tho Government to firmly uphold: the -law. Ho definitely refused to 'appoint - a tribunal outside of tho Industrial Disputes' Act to. deal with tho case.

The strikers, he said, must seek'reinstatement, arid must tako advantage* of the Act to have their grievances dealt with. If they returned to work within a reasonable time, the proceedings for penalty in* tho*cases already initiated against them.' would not be. procoedod-with. PRESIDENT DEFIANT. A BETTER SERVICE. SYMPATHY DWINDLES ON WET DAYS. (Rec. July 27, 11.55 p.m.) Sydney, July 27. Mr. Lawtori, President of the Union, states that the prosecutions are expected to mako no difference to the strikers. /There" aro» plenty more men to fill tho vacant places of 'those prosecuted. The strikers, intend, to fight to a finish. ..-iT A mass meeting of coal lumpers decided to support the strikers morally and financially if called upon. There was a large roll-up at the Police Court of men charged with" riotous 'behaviour arising out of strike demonstrations. Fines of £1 to £3 were imposed on strikers involved. On tho whole, the tram-men are behaving excellently.. The tramway authorities were able to provide an improved service to-day. The number of cars running was considerably increased, and they were better, patronised, tho rain compelling many to use "them; who'previously, from sympathy with the strikers or other motives, refrained from doing so. It is officially stated that hundreds of applications for work have been received by the tramways authorities, including'applications from somo of tho strikers. A small service is maintained at' Newcastle. No attempt has beeii made to resume running at Broken Hill. THE LATEST. PARLIAMENT MEETS -TO-DAY. (Rco. July 28, 1.25-a.m.).-: Sydney, July 27. At the Trades Hall tho Labour Council tonight is discussing tho latest, phases of tho situation. The Press aro excluded. Non-official reports indicate" a' weakening of the movement in the direotion of a general striko. Olio of the causes.for.this .weakening tendency is said to bo the railwaymen's disinclination to come out. It is rumoured that further developments will dopend upon the action that -tho Labour members intend to take - when • Parliament meets to-morrow. It is considered significaiitrthat'a "deputation of railwayman, which, was. to havo waited on tha Commissioners to-day, failed to do ■AO.