LIGHTS OUT!

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 253, 21 July 1919, Page 3

LIGHTS OUT!

, —. o STRIKE CONDITIONS IN MELBOURNE. If no settlement of the seamen's strike is effected this week (says the Melbourne "Ace" of July 2) Melbourne will have, to endure inconveniences and losses such as it has not known for many yearfe. The Central Coal Board has decided to. bring new restrictions into force which will— (1) .Prohibit entirely the use nf gas or electricity for radiators or gas fires. (2) Prohibit, entirely tho use of gas or electricity for lighting shop windows. (3) Prohibit the use of gas or electric light for any purpose between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.'and between 10.30 p.m. and 5 ia.m, Thus, before the. week-end tho Seamen's Union, as led by Mr. Walsh and tho other supporters of "direct action," will have rendered the life of the people of Melbourne as miserable and unhappy as' it can possibly be made. In tho coldest days of winter there is to be no hefftin" by gas or electricity in shops, offices, or houses; and, of course, many houses, offices, and Hats are unable to use any other heating system. All the shop windows are to be in darkness, and from dusk Melbourne will bo like a city of tho dead- Industrial disturbance, now severe, will bo made evten worse, for although there are now exemptions for necessary industries as far ns tho use of electric power is concerned, they will be of no avail, becausa many of them use not only electric power,' but gas in the night time, and the pressure in the gas mains is to be reduced to the ultimato possiblo safe limit between halfpast 10 'and 5 a.m. This means that there will not bo enough for the bakers to bake with, or for other industries using gas at night to carry on., Melbourne. people from Sunday next may have to endure the following disabilities and discomforts:— II) Bread supply very doubtful. (2) Cooking all day 'by wood or oil stoves—if they are lucky enough to have cither. (3) A much-reduced suburban train Bervice. (i) No trams on Sundays. (5) No trams of any kind after 7 p.m. on week days. (6) No warmth, except from wood fires, anywhere. (7) Shops probably closing at dark, wein," that tha windows cannot be lighted. (8) All streets, except in the city of Melbourne, to be, in entire darkness, as for as public lighting is concerned. ■In a word, wo are to jump back almost to the primitive life ot the dark ages. Trade will be practically stopped; unemployment will be.greatly extended; distress will become more acute; the troalmenf of thn sick will be made oven more difficult than it is now. And all lias been caused bv about half a dozen Seamen's Union "bosses" refusing arbitration an their case. How long (asks the "Age") will the public puKup with it?

iDissiHsfflction at tho existing'rates of pay. which it is chimed represent Ices than ii living wave, is general among members of the Victorian Police Force. At a Melbourne mooting attended by between 200 and 300 members of the Victorian Police Association several speakers made comparisons between tho pay of policemen and that granted to the members of industrial unions. It was pointed out. that for B*. a day, or Bs. a night, as the case might be, constables wero expected to protect from molestation loyalist, workers on the wharves who were receiving up to 14s. a day, and on certain occasions uip to 31s. (id. a night. Tho aim of the police is an increase of 2s. par day for those constables now in receint of Bs. per day. and the restoration of tho pensions. Tt was resolved that the. Chief Commissioner of Polico (Sir Georgo Steward) should be asked to mako arrangements for a deputation to Ministers.