THE GAS STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1691, 6 March 1913, Page 5

THE GAS STRIKE

VERY ROWDY MEETING,

POLICE DRAW BATONS.

DISTURBERS EJECTED,

RIOT NARROWLY AVERTED,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Rec. March 5, 9.30 p.m.)

Sydney, March 5. The meeting called by the Lord Mayor at tile Town Hall to give the citizens an opportunity oi' expressing au opinion on the strike was very largely attended, and proved lively and exciting, almost ending in a riot.

The Lord Mayor was attended on the platform by many prominent citizens, and Sub-lnsiieetor Goulder, a member of the police, ; and other police were scattered insido and outside of the building. It soon became evident that the strikers and their supporters were present in force, and intended to take a hand in the proceedings,

The Lord Mayor's appearance was the signal for a great demonstration, those in sympathy with the object of the meeting cheering heartily, while a strong section hooted lustily. After appealing for inir play, and trying for some time to get a hearing, the Lord Mayor warned the interrupters that unless they stopped their tactics they would bo removed. Amidst continued interruptions' and counter-de-monstrations, n workman marched up to the platform and presented the Lord Mayor with a large shovel, and requested him to take it to the gasworks and do some, stoking.

The Lord Mayor, addressing the rowdy •section, declared that they had a pretty poor case if they could not hear the other side. "All that we are here to-day for was to say whether a few men, by an act of insubordination, can tie up the common services and leave our homes in darkness."

At this point hostility was so demonstrative that the Lord Mayor ordered one of the disturbers to lie ejected, and a wild scene of disorder followed. When a policeman attempted to carry out the order the mail's comrades crowded round, and a violent struggle ensued. More police pushed through, and were roughly hustled. They were compelled to draw their batons, and eventually several men were ejected.

While the tussle was in progress in the hall, there was great commotion, and the audience was greatly excited.

In the meantime strong police reinforcements arrived, and when order was restored, tlie Lord Mayor, continuing his speech, said: "I am sorry for Uie disturbance, but it was not our fault.) In tills movement we are backed up by the employees themselves, and the whole of the represenfative men in the city. These men are going to support you in any wise movement that may bo taken to remove tile existing disabilities."

The attempts made to interrupt the speakers following the Lord Mayor were summarily suppressed by the police and several more interjectors wero removed.

A resolution moved by the President of I he; Chamber ol' Commerce, and seconded by the President of the Employers', Federation, expressing al'arnj ;at, the' action of the gasmen in plunging the city and suburbs in darkness, stopping industries, causing deprivations to the sick ami needy, and asking the Government to take steps to protec 1 . citizens in any attempt to restore the daily life and industrial conditions to a normal state was carried; also a second resolution, moved l;y the President of the Chamber; of Manufacturers, pledging this great meeting of citizens representing commerce and industry in all its various phases to volunteer as n body to assist-in restoring to the community its daily light and power. The Lord Mayor announced, that he had received from the university intimatioil that sixty under-graduates wore available as volunteers. "Will others offer?" "he added. "We want gas prepared, and we will work for it, and not accept threepence for work, but take the billets of the men and hold them tiill they come to their senses and return to work."

THE SEQUEL OF THE MEETING. (Rec. March 5,11.15 p.m.) Sydney, March 5. The sequel of the Town Hall meeting was that a man was fined a pound for assaulting Superintendent, not Sub-Inspec-tor, Goulder. During the ejectment tussles, Superintendent Goulder was knocked down and struck with a chair. His uniform was badly torn. i The employees of the Manly Gas Company, about forty, have joined the strike. XORD MAYOR AS WORKER. (Rec. March G, 0.55 a.m.) Sydney, March 5. From the Town Hall the Lord Mayor proceeded to the Kent Street gasworks, and, discarding frock-coat and tall hat, lie rigged himself in an old pair of pants and sweater, and did the four hours of a fireman's shift like a workman. Other volunteers imitated hiin. The retorts are filling steadily, and it is hoped the city will have gas to-mor-row. PLENTY OF VOLUNTEERS. (Rec. March G, 0.35 p.m.) Sydney, March 5. At the conclusion of the meeting, large numbers enrolled' their names as volunteers to be distributed amongst the various companies. The North' Shore Company hope to con. tinue the supply of gas to-morrow, if not permanently. LABOUR COUNCIL MANIFESTO. POSITION VERY SERIOUS. Sydney, March 5. A manifesto issued by the executive of the labour Council regrets the action of the gas companies in taking advantage of a technical point and refusing to caiicel the agreements with the employees, knowing full well that a Wages Hoard cannot be appointed whilst an agreement exists, or until Parliament meets and amends the Industrial Act. ' ' "The present position is undoubtedly very serious," says the manifesto, "and will be more sc if allowed to extend. We, therefore, call upon all unionists to retrain from participating or taking any action in connection with the trouble' in the way of sympathy witli the strike bslore consulting the Labour Council. By localising the trouble we wilt be better able to give effect to Labour principles, and provide funds for the dependents of the strikers." LABOUR MINISTRY CRITICISED. Melbourne, March 5. A meeting of gasworkors carried resolu--1 ions expressing the utmost contempt for the puerile and splenetic act.ion of the misnamed Labour Ministry in New South Wales in requesting the public to "scab" on the gas employees; ami hoping that lltii Ulip;mt|lp|cd treachery will meet its i.ust, reward at tlie next election,

STRIKEKS' ACTION ILL-ADVISED. Sydney, March 5. 'I'lie North Sydney Borough Council' has arranged a. temporary system of electric lighting of the main streets. The number of free labourers is slowly increasing. The Australian Gaslight Company has secured 150. The Premier (Mr. M'Go won) declares that the strikers' action is hasty, and ill-advised, and probably illegal. Arbitration is being made the handmaiden of tlio strike. If the Government is compelled to intervene, it is determined to see the interests of tlio community protected. EIGHT HUNDRED TAILORS IDLE. Sydney, March 5. The secretary of the Australian Gaslight Company hopes to be able to give tlio city a good supply of gas in a couple of days. The North Shore Company promises a supply for to-morrow. From present appearances its hopes are considered to lx l sanguine. The shortage of gas has rendered idle eight hundred employees in the tailoring trade, and many in the printing trade. It is estimated that if the strike continues a few more days ten thousand workers will be affected. The lifts in many warehouses arc not working, adding to other business disabilities.