GASMEN'S STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1689, 4 March 1913, Page 5

GASMEN'S STRIKE.

MINISTER'S OFFER REJECTED. STRIKERS' TERMS. SHILLING A DAY INCREASE. PREMIER'S PROCLAMATION. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Rec. Maroh 3, 8.55 p.m.) Sydney, March 3. The strikers rejected Mr. Carmichael's offer which was left open until 2 o'clock this afternoon. Mr. il'Gowen, the Premier, has issued a proclamation calling upon citizens to meet the public interest by aiding tho Government to keep order, and by securing a gas supply for tho public. Three thousand workers in tho boot trade' have been compelled to cease work owing to there being no gas to run tho machines. A mass meeting of tho gasmen decided • to resume immediately on the following terms: That the companies agreo to cancel the agreement; that tho companies and the union jointly apply to tho Arbitration Court for a Wages Board; that tho oompanies agree to offer no opposition to a shilling a day inorease; that tho companies sign these terms before resumption; that the award for the Wages Board bo retrospective from Friday. MEN'S TERMS , REJECTED. (Rcc. March 4, 1.10 a.m.) i i Sydney, March' 3. The gas companies rejected itlie men's terms, but submitted a scheme for resumption; the men, however, rejected this. It is believed tho men aro still negotiating. with the Australian Gaslight Company, though the chairman of the North Shore Company declares that tho negotiations have been broken off. SYDNEY INCONVENIENCED. CHURCH SERVICES IN THE OPEN. Sydney, March 3. The position is unaltered. Mr. Carmichael's offer remains open until this afternoon. < Last night, many suburban churches held their services in the open air.. Fifty of those answering the North Shore Company's advertisement have been taken on. The compnny is striving strenuously to restore supplies. Thousands of homes using gas cooking 6toves are suffering extreme inconvenience, and aro getting makeshift meals only.

THE COMEDY OF THE STRIKE. DINNERS COOKED IN BACKYARDS. Sydney, March 3. Many businesses to-day were greatly hampered by tho want of gas. A large number of employees are temporarily made idle. Tho churchcs yesterday evening were driven to all sorts of devices, and at the bost tho services had lo be conduoted in a truly "dim and religious light." The suburban railway stations were similarly situated, infrequent lamps only serving to show up the darkness. A curious spectacle was whore the city is usually ringed for a wido area with well lighted streets, tho pall of darkness was punctuated by moving lights, as residents,' armed with lanterns, paid calls or returned from church services. Boardinghouses, restaurants, and hotels especially were hampered by the rush of usual customers, augmented by those unable to cook at their homos. A good percentage of the suburban houses were not provided with fuel stoves, and tho occupants wero compelled to prepare meals on a boiling hot day oulside. Tho air was.filled with tho aroma of oooking dinners from hundreds of backyard fires. Tho fuel men are reaping a! rich harvest, but ore unable to fill tho demands, at even advanced prices. The decision of to-day'a conference is anxiously awaited. Unless an early settlement is reached the situation will bo really eerions. .