SYDNEY RAILWAY STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1718, 8 April 1913, Page 5

SYDNEY RAILWAY STRIKE.

GRAVE DANGER OF TROUBLE

SPREADING.

ALI GOODS TRAFFIC BLOCKED,

By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. April J, 9.50 p.m.) ' Sydney, April 7. A mass meeting of the Amalgamated liailwnymen's Union accepted tho Government proposal to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate the' men's grievances, with a proviso that tho following guarantees must be given by the Government: That the Darling Harbour porters' claim shall be given precedence, and a special interim report by the Commission shall be made with regard to them .vthat any findings of flic Commission shall be given effect to; that tlio Government shall bear all the expenses of tho Transport Union in conducting tho case; that there shall bo no interference with existing rights as to seniority or pensions, and no victimisation of casual, temporary, or permanent employees, and that tho award shall bo retrospective from the time of the resumption of work. The meeting of the union was lively, and lasted four and a half hours. A considerable section opposed tho acceptance of the Commission, and urged holding out for more definite terms. Eventually tho Commission was accepted by a twomajority, and a representative was appointed to wait on tho Premier and Mr. Carmichaol, Minister for Labour, and submit the proposal attached to the acceptance. A report of a further meeting held tonight states that the men were strictly enjoinbd not to resume work until the result of the second meeting is known. The parcels office staff, numbering over a hundred, joined the strikers this morning, only a few officials remaining; ii charge. Outward parcels aro accepted, but no guarantee is given of their 1 dis patch. A largely-attended meeting of employers carried resolutions dealing with the general effects of the inconvenience and loss caused by rcoent strikes, and appointed o deputation to present the resolutions tc the Premier. MILK SUPPLIES ALLOWED. Sydney, April 7. Tho Government's oifer of a Royal Commission to inquire into the railway strike is on condition that work is immediately resumed. Mr. Carmichael, Minister for Labour, is hopeful that the men's meeting to-day will accept the conditions. Mr. Piddington, IC.C., who recently resigned 'a High Court Judgeship, will be th'e Commissioner. Tho strikers have decided to permit milk supplies to pass through Darling Harbour, and will not interfere with tho requirements of 1 ' children and invalids. Now that tho shunters and the other guards ara out, practically the wholo of the goods traffio of tho State is held up. The only shunting being done at Darling Harbour is by the' stationmastcr and bj the foreman. The casual railway hands refused to handle the trucks unless they wero shunted by -unionists, and joined the strike... Tho parcels men at the Central Rail way Station signed off last night, ,ani did not start this morning. Tho timber yards and other industries are beginning to feel the nip, and arf shortening hands.