GASMEN'S STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1692, 7 March 1913, Page 5

GASMEN'S STRIKE.

VOLUNTEERS' STEADY WORK, j GASLESS CITY STREETS. BUSINESS BADLY HAMPERED. BREAKFAST AT ALL HOURS. By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright (Eec. March G, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, March G. Strike matters are quiet. Augmented by a number of free labourers, tho volunteers are doing steady work. The Manly supply is uninterrupted, as a full staff of volunteers has replaced tho strikers. Though tho North Shore Company is prepared to give a full supply, many of tho streets are unlighted owing to tho lamplighters being out. The city is still gasless, as refilling immenso reservoirs is a lengthy process. Business is badly hampered, but the prospects of an early renewal of the service are hopeful. The majority of the city inner suburbs residences are without full stores, and householders are being driven to all sorts of shifts; in somo instances several houses use one stove, taking turn about, tho breakfast hour varying from very early in the morning till late in tho forenoon, according to the place allotted in the queue; the other meals as tho overworked stove offers an opportunity. Cold collations are largely the order of the day. MINISTRY BLUNDERED BADLY. LABOUR'S CUP, OF BITTERNESS. Sydney, March G. The newspaper "Worker," commenting on tho situation, says:— "The Ministry has blundered badly. It gavo the men half a day t'o accept the employers' terms, and threatened to place amateur blacklegs in their place and protect tho professional article. The Government is trying to out-Wade Wade, who, even in the matter of the Newcastlo strike, sliowed more forbearance. Evi-

dently tho Ministry has lost its head. Labour's cup of bitterness -is full, even •to overflowing.". DETERMINED TO FIGHT. Sydney, March G. Tho Australian Gaslight Company offers to reinstate all the strikers if they return to-day. Tho men declare that they will fight to the bitter end. VOLUNTEER WORKERS. Sydney, March G. There wero over 400 volunteers as the result of tho Town Hall meeting. GASMEN'S DISCLAIMER, Sydney, March 6. It is claimed on behalf of tho gasmen that the troublo in the Town Hall meeting was not their making. ' None participated in tho rowdyism. So far their conduct whilst.in the vicinity of the works, whero they continue to largoly. congregate, has been exemplary. When tho undergraduate volunteers arrived in a body to commence work, the strikers greeted them with cheers. 'TEACE WITH HONOUR." Sydney, March 6. Tho seeretaryof tho Federated Enginedrivers denies tho rumours that the electric light workers intend to join the strikers. Tho secretary of the Gas Workers' Union advocates the calling together of Parliament to deal with tho situation. Since tho companies will not agree to the' cancelling of the agreement, and agree to tho aitnblislring of a Wages Board, they oannot get nearer a settlement till tho Act is amended. Tho men are willing to negotiate, but 1 it must bo on the basis of "peace with, honour." ;

GENERAL STRIKE OPPOSED. Sydney, March 6. The secretary of. tho Labour Council has appealed to the companies to permit mediation. - • • j Although there are rumours of a general strike, tho officials of several of the larger unions oppose such action, and consider it' would lie a blunder and would not help tho gasmen. Some unions have passed resolutions of sympathy with tho strikers and condemnatory of the Government offering encouragement to free labourers. Six fitters nt the Mortlako Gas Works struck, refusing to repair damages caused by unskilled free labourers. RUMOURS OF SETTLEMENT. GOOD BEHAVIOUR OF THE MEN. (Rec. March 7, 1 a.m.) Sydney, March 6. i There are rumours that efforts are making towards a settlement of tho strike. The secretary of tho Labour Council conferred with Mr. M'Gowen and Mr. Carmichael, subsequently the Ministers stated there was nothing new to report, apparently on both sides, though both profess willingness to confer, but on terms. Tho gasmen's secretary declared they wero still open to negotiate, but if the companies' intention was to sit back and fight, the men's intention was the same. Tho police and the gas companies' managers pay tributes to the strikers' excellent behaviour.