THE AUSTRALIAN STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3186, 10 September 1917, Page 6

THE AUSTRALIAN STRIKE

A SHOOTING AFFRAY FIGHT BETWEEN VOLUNTEERS AND STRIKERS RAILWAY TRAIN FIRED ON INDUSTRY PARALYSED SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND A HUGE CAMP SETTLEMENT EXPECTED TO-DAY Special news of the Australian strike received by The Dominion gives an indication of the seriousness of tho position, and shows that the strike has on occasions led to resort to physical violence. Industry in New South Wales is to a large extent paralysed, and Victoria i 6 seriously affected. It is stated that no estimate can be made of the number of men idle in New South Wales, but it is reckoned that it must reach at least six figures. In Victoria from 13,000 to 20,000 workers are out. '* The New South Wales workers .wholly affected are: - Railway men. Tramway men. Wharf labourers. Miners. Seamen. Those partially affectcd aro:— Carters. i Butchers. Gas workers. And many others. These men are partially affectod owing to workers' refusal to handle "black" goods. There aro 5000 volunteer workers in camp on the Sydney Cricket Ground. Here is the case of a striker who attacked a volunteer worker being shot dead:— This arosß out of a violent affair in Bridge Road, Camperdown, and in the struggle that eusued two of tho strikers were shot, one fatally. K-eginald James Werne and Charles Thorpe, both volunteer workers, were making a return journey after having discharged a load of foodstuffs for troops at the front. A number of men assailed them, and called out insulting remarks.' Several assailants jumped on tho wagon, and Thorpe was knocked from his seat. WurilA ctnnnivl l.ic knt-snc imul.nrl

Werne stopped his horses and rushed to Thorpe's assistance. He drew his revolver and held the crowd off. Stonethrowing commeuced, and Werne fired at tlie legs of one man and wounded him.

Another man knocked Werne down, and they struggled on the ground. Werne again fired his revolver, gnd his opponent collapsed, shot through the heart.

A railway fireman on tho Illawarra lino was shot on August 27. The train was travelling fast at tho time of the ebooting, and was Hearing Coledale. Tho engine-driver heard two shots, and. at the same time Green, tho fireman, said that he had been hit. At the hospital to which he was taken it was found that he was suffering from a bullet wound in the forearm and one in the chest. Later reports are that ho will

At the Silverton Tramway Company's premises ait Broken Hill some plugs of gelignite, a detonator, and fuse were discovered in a 'corner of one of tho buildings. Tho charge had apparently been laid ready for firing.

A number of men have been, charged at Broken Hill with disorderly conduct. A mob of 500 or more went to the North Mine, drew the fires from tho boilers, and so stopped the pumps, Arrests have been made, and tho acoused persons are on remand. HOPEFUL INDICATIONS SETTLEMENT EXPECTED TO-DAY Sydney, September 8. There are hopeful indications that a settlement of tho strike will be reached on Monday.—Press Assn.