SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1025, 14 January 1911, Page 5

SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

GASOMETERS NEARLY EMPTY,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, January 13. Unless the gasworks employees, who went on strike yesterday, rcsumo work to-day the gasometers, will be exhausted by 2 o'clock. Tho man whoso dismissal led to the strike is secretary of tho Employees' Union. Tho. dispute has been in progress for ten days. There have been frequent conferences held without result. Tho charge preferred against tho secretary was that he was under the influeueo of drink whilst performing important duty. The employees aver that tho trouble had been brewing for a long time, and the employee got in the company's bad books through taking a prominent part in matters pertaining to the unions' policy questions. T'lio matter of a strike had been discussed at many meetings. The union demanded tho reinstatement of tho secretary, but the demand was set aside. Yesterday the men threw down their tools. The secretary to the company states that the man had been twice previously warned for neglect of duties. The company offered to re-employ him in a slightly less responsible position. The men met at tho Trades Hal) and endorsed and applauded tho officials' action. Mr. Booby, Minister for Labour, is acting as mediator. Last night, accompanied by Mr. Carmichael, Honorary Minister, he interviewed the union executive for three hours, but no decision was come to. They will meet again to-day. THE STRIKE ENDS. MEDIATION SUCCESSFUL, (Rcc. January 13, 9.20 p.m.) Sydney, January 13. After negotiations botwoen.tho Australian Gaslight and the Gas Employeo's Union, lasting -'the greater part of the day, the gas striko has ended. Through tho medium of Messrs. Bceby and Carmichael a conference of the contending parties has been arranged to discuss tho trouble, and in tho meantime tho strikers will 'rcsumo work at ton o'clock to-night, TERMS OF SETTLEMENT. INCONVENIENCE IN THE CITY. (Rec. January 14, 0.53 a.m.) , I syonay, January 13The terms of settlement of tho gas striko aro.that tho dismissed man shall bo regarded as suspended from January 2. If ho is found innocent by a committee, consisting of threo representatives of each side, which will meet on Wednesday—Mr. Watson, tho exLabour leader acting as chairman—ho will bo paid wages from Janaury 2, but if found guilty' ho will bo reinstated iu another position where ho could not do damage similar to that alleged against him. 'lhe chargo is to bo definitely ono of incompetenco on January 1. Early in tho day tho gas supply- began to show a low pressure, and towards evening almost ceased. A number of places which wero dependent on gas for their machinery wero closed. Tho newspaper offices wero seriously inconvenienced. Tho supply for domo'stic lighting and conking was practically useless.

There was a groat rush to the shops for lamps and kerosene stoves.

. Hie hospital and othor. buildings wero lit by candles. There can bo no improvement till tho strikers return to duty at ten o'clock to-night.