GOVERNMENT'S TERMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3187, 11 September 1917, Page 6

GOVERNMENT'S TERMS

RESTATED BY MR, FULLER, The Government's unalterable decision, as restated by Mr. Fuller, was given in its reply to Mr. Meagher's proposals:— "1. The men must go back to work on the conditions existing at the Eveleigh. and Randwick workshops on August 1. "2. After the expiry of three months an independent tribunal will .be appointed to inquire into the operation of the card system, and if tho Commission finds that the operation of the card system 19 unjust it will be -evised or abolished. "3. - In the operation of tho card system every man shall, every day, if so desired, have tho opportunity of inspecting and initialling his card relating to the previous day's work. "i. If the men have any other specific industrial grievances that at present cannot be brought before the Arbitration Court tho Clovernmont will take immediate steps to amend' tho law, so that access to tho Court shall be afforded to them.

"No good purpose can be served by further attempts to induco tho Government to . alter their terms. The only difference between the present situation and that which existed at the time that the' Government? made'their final offer to the Strike Promotion Committee lies in the fact that some thousands of loyalists have now come to the assistance of the State, and the Government must and will honour their pledge to continue the employment of those who . are giving satisfactory service and who desire to remain. In reference to Alderman Meagher's 'intervention in this matter, it must be understood that he was received by the Government only in his official capacity as Lord Mayor. He originally asked that he should attend with the Strike Committee. This the Government refused, but granted an interview to tho Lord Mayor. At that interview the Government restated their proposals, and further informed Alderman Meagher that "in no ' circumstances would they-depart from'their declared determination to stand by the loyalists who camo to the country's _ assistance. In these circumstances it is hard to understand how anyone could encourage the public to believo that there is little difference between the Government proposals and those suggested by the Cord Mayor."