RAILWAY STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 892, 15 May 1903, Page 2

RAILWAY STRIKE.

MEN RETURNING TO WORK.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.

M c-ibourne May 14

The engineers’ secretary admits that eight men returned to work. lie and other leaders deny that there is a considerable disaffection in the ranks. The Government have decided not to listen to any proposals for arbitration or conciliation. It is understood that if the engine-drivers declare the strike oil soon the Gov. rimieiiL v.ill bi inclined to be magnanimous. T.'.e prestd- :;t of the En-gine-drivers’ Union states that it has buC-n decided at present there is tio necessity for calling the signalmen out. The way the service is being run renders them useless, therefore it is unnecessary for them to strike. The chief of the mechanical engineers says that the 18 drivers who struck have agreed to return to work. The strikers continue to receive many messages of sympathy and monetary assistance from all parts.

Brisbane, May 23. A large public meeting passed a resolu ion of sympathy with the strikers.

London, May 13,

The English newspapers give much prominence to the railway strike. Almost without exception, they condemn the strikers. The St. James' Gazette says the strike is full of mistrustful considerations for the friends of the colony. The Labor Party’s presumption is largely the result of being pampered and humored for personal motives by persons who ought to know better, and the champions of undue corporate municipal trading here are showing the samo disregard of inevitable consequences.

A DRASTIC MEASURE

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

Melbourne, May 14

In the Assembly, after further debate, the motion to introduce the Premier’s Strike Bill was carried on the voices. The majority of speakers supported the Government, some expressing the hopo that the door would be left open for the men to return.

Mr Maloney declared that Mr Shiel directed the operations of tlio Government and that Mr Bent did the dirty work. Mr Irvine introduced the Bill late at night. The preamble sets out that it is necessary to invest the Government with further powers to suppress the strike so as to restore to the public the full use of the railways. The chief provisions of the Bill are : “ Every person employed on the railways, either in a permanent or supernumerary capacity, who ceases his duties without the approval of the Commissioners, after 14 days’ clear notice, shall bo deemed a striker. A. penalty may bo imposed not exceeding £IOO or 12 months’ imprisonment or both. Such penalties may bo inflicted for any offence against aDy provision of the Act.”

The Bill gives special powers to fill any place vacated by strikers, and makes offences the use of threats, violence, intimidation, insulting language to loyalists or their families, lurking near or spying upon houses where loyalists reside, or places of work, following through the streets in a disorderly manner, soliciting or persuading men not to remain in tbo service or to carry out their duties, or attempting to interfere with their liberty, tampering with railway property or suggesting anything intended to stop or delay the running of trains, organising, holding, receiving, collecting or distributing an.y strike fund to encourage, contiuuc or extend a strike.

For such offences tho offender may bo arrested without warrant.

Tho other clauses provido against tho printing, publishing or posting of any notification encouraging a strike. They inako a meeting of more than six persons in favor of a strike unlawful; make tho obstruction of the police an offence; and provido for tho protection of any witnesses in cases arising out of a strike. Tho final elauso limits tho duration of the Act to tho continuance of the strike. Mr Irvine, in moving the second reading, said tho bill had a partially retrospective effect. Tho Government did not intend to ask Parliament to validate anything they had done. Ministers took the whole responsibility for their acts. While Mr Irvine was explaining tho more stringent provisions, ho was interrupted with angry demonstration from tho Labor members, and cries of “ Russia,” “ Shame,” “ Hang them,” “ Shoot them.” With regard to tho men who remained loyal and those who came to the assistance of the Government, Mr Irvine said it was intended to give them seniority. They would not close the door to the strikers who signified their willingnoss to return, but the door would remain open for a very limited time.

Sir A. Peacock moved an amendment expressing regret that the men had gone on strike on tho eve of the assembling of Parliament, but if they return forthwith the House will tako into consideration any grievance from which they think they suffer. He urged the Government not to rush to tho extreme of legislating for the strike. He advocated conciliation. *

The Prouder said the effect of the amendment was to ask the Government to surrender its responsibility. The matter had the effect of a motion of want of confidence. The Government must assert its responsible position. This morning a former member of tho Peaeoek Cabinet declared that the people must support the Government. It was Government or anarchy. Sir A. Peacock’s amendment was negatived by 58 votes to 30. The debato was then adjourned until this afternoon.

CONFICTING REPORTS,

ONE SIDE TELLING LIES,

By Telegraph—Press Assoeiat ion—Copyright Received 10.31 p.m., May 14. Melbourne, May 14.

As a result of negotiations between a committee of influential citizens and leaders of the local firemen and drivers, the whole of the Geelong strikers have agreed to resume work to-morrow. The decision was come to after receiving a departmental promise that if they resumed at once their rights would be considered. Amongst the applications received yesterday were 29 certificated drivers, including nine who struck. It is also stated that steamer passages have been booked for 50 drivers from other States, including New Zealand, and that fitters have offered to come to tho assistance of tho Railway Departmcnt.

The strike committee flatly deny that men are returning to duty. The president of the Drivers’ Association stated to-day that the reports were nothing more nor less than a deliberate attempt to cause disunion amongst the men. The only effect of the reports, however, has been that it is now impossible to get them to believe any rumors living about. Possibly the Department may have induced some half-dozen country drivers to consider seductive inducements held out. He declared that the service to-day was no better than it had been. The men were just as determined as ever, and there was complete unanimity amongst them.

MELBA’S FATHER GIVES A HAND

STEADY IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 10,-17 p.m., May 14 Melbourne, May 14. Amongst those who came to the assistance of the Government is Mr David Mitchell, Melba's father. He is an old driver, and has been running a train a couple of days. Twenty-three suburban trains are running to-day, two additional lines, St, Hilda and Preston, being reopened yesterday. The country service .was maintained, and a number of crosscountry trains run. Goods trains ran between Melbourne, Woodend, and Bendigo. Woodend was the first goods train attempted since the strike. Three striking drivers are in charge of the engines. In addition to the Geelong men fourteen strikers in other country centres applied to bo reinstated!

One effect of the strike is that a number of country race meetings arc indefinitely postponed.

STRIKERS CLAIM ALL IS WELL FOR THEM.

A STRIKER'S TALE,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh: Received 1f.34 p.m., May 11.

Sydney, May 14. The secretary of the Labor Council has received the following telegram from the strike headquarters : ” Strike continuing with unabated vigor. Newspaper reports of defections and satisfactory traffic are false all through. Victoria has only seven defections, in no dispute were tiic men ever so unanimous.”

Melbourne, May 1-1

Members of the Drivers’ Association now on strike told an interviewer that a proportion of the strikers were now sorry they took the extreme step. Some would never have gone out at all but for fear of others who wanted to strike. They were coerced. If the Government had guaranteed adequate protection a large number would never have left the engines. Only tho desire to stick to the Executive was keeping them together now.

ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS,

"A STATE OF SIEGE.”

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 11.51 p.m,, May 14. London, May 14. The Times says that the strike is a peculiarly audacious development of trades unionism. Mr Irvine’s emergency measure is justified by tho consideration that the colony is practically in a state of siege. Unless permanent legislation is passed tho Government will be again unprotected. Where there is a strike all economical management of Slato Departments is made impossible by collective political action of public servants who have become to a great extent the public’s masters. Unless trades unions are made to foci their responsibilities it is extremely likely they will push tlioir tyranny to tho point of rendering exceptional repressive measures inevitable.

The Morning Post declares that Mr Irvine’s promptness and plucky determination is an examplo to other statesmen. It is tho most courageous and wisest way to deal with, tho strike. The Daily Chrouiclo says that Mr Irvine’s proposals are uimecossarily drastic, savoring of panic.

The London Soeiai Democratic Federation has adopted a resolution of sympathy with the strikers.

THE DEBATE,

PANIC LEGISLATION,

By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright Received 12.31 a.m., May 15. Melbourne, May 14. During tho oarly part of tho debate Mr Bromley, leador of the Labor Party, said that no one would deprecate tho strike more than he. For years ho had fought against strikes. Had he and his confreres been consulted probably there would have been no strike. The strikers had been jumped on time after time. Were they to have no right of speech, no liberty, no thought ? Tho Premier was not almighty. The views of the men ought to have some consideration.

On tho resumption of the debato this afternoon Sir A. J. Peacock announced that ho never intended tho amendment as a want of confidence. Had it been carried he was convinced the strike would have collapsed to-day. Ho would support the second reading of the Bill, but oppose a number of clauses in committee which were too drastic.

Mr Smith, Labor member, charged Government with unfair treatment of the ruilwaymen in regard to retrenchment and reclassification. He characterised tho Bill ns panic legislation, and asked Government to adopt other means of dealing with tho matter.

Mr Wickford congratulated tho Labor members on not attempting to justify the strike.

Air Duffy said tiio Bill would placo every man at the mercy of any policeman who thought they wero discussing a strike. Anyone with a match-box bearing the words “ striko ” was liable to arrest and imprisonment. He was willing to givo the Government full power to stop the strike, but not such powers as asked for. Mr Fink thought it was time the demands of the Laoor party should bo stopped. Ho hoped that next election would return members pledged to assist in tho development of the country.

THE GEELONG LIE, A DRASTIC BILL.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh t Received 1.22 a.m., May 15. Melbourne, May 14. Tho reported defection of tho Geelong men proves incorrect. Forty-eight men attended a meeting, and there was lengthy discussion. They decided to remain on strike.

Tho Orotava, with the English ma sailed to-day.

Tho strike leaders say it will take a fortnight to get the Strike Bill through. The more drastic clauses will bo strongly opposed in tho Assembly.

The debate is proceeding, aud is likely to prove very lengthy. Tho feeling in both Houses and outside is that some clauses, especially those referring to street gatherings, publishing and distributing strike matter, and strike moneys, are very severe, and need toning down,

SYMPATHY FROM OTAGO.

By Telegraph—Press Association — Dunedin, last night. The Trades and Labor Council held a special meeting at which the whole question of the Yictorian railway strike was gone into. It was resolved to urge the unions to strike a levy on their members, and a committee of the Council was appointed to lay the matter before the unions. The following resolution was passed “ That we, tho Dunedin Trades Council, being representative of the organised workers of Otago, eDter our emphatic protest against the tyrannical attempt of tho Victorian Minister of Railways to curtail the civil or political liberties of any British subject, this being nothing more than a capitalistic attempt, under the guise of Government, to introduce a system of State slavery, which, if successful, will immediately lead to every large employerdoing likewise, which will prove one of the most effective weapons to weaken, through diversion, the efforts of \vorker3 to combat the viciousness of the present commercialism. We claim for workers in every British colony what the British Parliament claimed for Uitlanders in South Africa, and pledge ourselves with others in every lawful manner to resist to tho utmost every attempt at the curtailment of our birthright.”