RAILWAY STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 890, 13 May 1903, Page 4

RAILWAY STRIKE.

STRIKERS’ WIVKS ATTEMPT INTIMIDATION. POI ICE S YAIEATI USE WPi'lt MEN. By Telegraph— Press AssociationCopyright.

MELBOURNE, .May 11. A large number of strikers’ wives look part in lhe demonstration in the North Melbourne yards, with the ohircl of overawing applicants lot work. The women, main being ariiiod with Micks and stones, were especially excited, and were with dimcult y prevented from personal violence. A noticeable feature oi Saturday night's scrimmage at North Mell)ourm* was that- the police- tciiaiiioti from I aking action. Compfaints on this head led to the suspension oi ■three constables. So far, there arc -lad applicants for positions as drivers and firemen The men are hemp; examined, and two hundred have been engaged.

U OVEKNMENT- PROULAMATIO N STKIK MRS’ MANIEENTO. J3y Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. MELBOURNE, May H-

The Government, last- night issued a prochuna.t ion warning the people under penalty of Ihe law not to assemble in the streets, or the neighborhood of the railway station yards, and calling upon the public to assist in maintaining law and order. Most of the members seized the opportunity to come to town oil the Cr id ay before the block came, in readiness for the opening of Parliament on Wednesday. Wind exactly will occur cannot, he predicted, but there -is a very genera 1 opinion that the (lovernmcnt will be very strongly supported in the action it lias taken. Many influential public bodies in the various States have adopted resolutions condemning the strike, and sympathising with the Covenimen!. A meeting of the Melbourne Uni-

versity undergraduates carried a resolution expressing conlidence in the Coveriiment and determination to assist, in any capacity. Subsequently many of the schools oiTcred their services- on the railways pi any capacity It. is understood that the whole question of the strike will he discussed when Parliament, meets. A short Hill will he introduced dealing with tin- question of public servants and alliliatiou to political bodies. 'l'lie strjkers’ executive has issued a manifesto to the voters of Victoria, setting out Unit they had submitted to a reduction of wages and the deprivation of certain rights rather •than inconvenience the public, hut now they had been compelled to rebel against, an attempt to lake from them liberty of action under the law, and asks, Wlia’t other course was open to us ? The whole blame rested with an unwise Government, who had converted one of the most lawabiding bodies in Hie .Slate into a revolt, and concludes: “ If the Government will only suggest any reasonable proposition, they" will find us reasonable. We have proved must rengt li.”

Tin; railway revenue for the week ending; Thursday was CHltlin less Ilian the corresponding; week of last year. The express which left Adelaide on Friday, after many vicissitudes, reached Ballarat yesterday night. Despite the leaders’ statements I hat. picketing was unnecessary, it, is being resorted to to a considerable extent. All known applicants for work are interviewed, and efforts are made to induce them to strike. 'The Age, dealing with the manifesto, refers to the audacious contumacy of the strikers, and asks:— “ CJould there be a lamer excuse to palliate a great crime.” The Government has placed a portion of the line north of Melbourne under special protection for the purpose of training drivers. Shortly, they will considerably augment 1 lie numbers thereby. The Premier slated very many men had placed their services at the disposal of the Government in all capacities. The Government was carefully testing their qualifications. The country lines will he got to work as early as possible. Anatigemenfs have been made to enrol special constables. 'Flic signalmen and associated uaway employees state that they nave no intention of coming out at present, hul they arc standing by awaiting developments.;

'the members of Ihe executives of the societies affiliated to the ’trades Hall who have not informed the Commissioner before 10-mormw night that they have resigned oilier will he removed from the service.

KNGLISII PRKSX OPINIONS. By Telegraph—Press 'Association— Copyright. CONDON, May i I.

Tin 1 Si. .lames’ Gazette, dealing wjlli ilic Victorian sirike. says 1 in; Labor Parly lias boldly adopied t.lic idea lliai. Australia is enclosed in a ring-fence. ami is exploil a Ido for l.alior paiTics’ sellisli interests. The mosl hopeful lea I lire of the position is ihe general support Mr frviue n receiving, but the struggle illusf rates the dangers arising from Stale ownership of large underi akings. The Pall Mall Gazette says the Labor Party has probably overreached itself.

SYMPATHY PROM NF\Y v. i-:a la nd. (Per Press Association.') WKLLI.YGTOY. lasi night. The Wellington section oi the Au>1 raiasian Federated Seamen's Union lias passed a resolution congraltilai3nc the Victorian railway men on the noble stand taken in order to maintain tile liberty of the subject. and pledging itself to do all in its power to uphold the men.