SYDNEY TRAM STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2253, 27 July 1908, Page 3

SYDNEY TRAM STRIKE.

GABLE NEWS

AN IRREGULAR SERVICE RUNNING.

WORKERS IN DIFFICULTIES,

police Service reinforced

United Press Association. Copyright

, SYDNEY, July 25 tho pinch of tlio strike was felt 'this morning. Though n limited number of trams, each with its polioo guard, were running io all suborns, the service was insuffniont to meet tho big early mqrning rush, workers from tlio furthor suburbs finding a difficulty in reselling the city. Omnibuses arid all kinds of vehicles wore pressed into the service. Additional railway and ferry facilities r.nve bum arranged to eopo with the block. A large body of suburban p-.luo have been drafted into the cat. in readiness for tho rovumiaviu of a modified service. Altogether twenty arrests have been made i-i 'or.ncction with yesterday’s, hostile ikmonstr.itlOIl.

The strikers acted with complete unanimity, not a single regular conductor remaining at work. Tlio department claims tl.at it has received numerous applications to fill the place of the strikers, including a number from other States and New Zealand.

Tho Commissioners declare .flirt flic men’s action has made it iinpessil le to reconsider their decision. A conference of tlio State Lid or party and tho Labor Council chcidcd to again interview tho Premier oml impress upon him tho grave tin; ger of tho trouble extending to other branches of the Government set vice as well as outside unions.

The strike at Newcastle up to Jast night was only partial. The service is a steam one, and the eng a-j-driv-ere nob having received I ho 'auction of their executive, did not jome out with their conductors. A ] urtial servieo is being maintained. The executive officers disclaim for the men any connection with attempts to tamper with the cars or lostilo demonstrations. They/'lay the blame on the rough olement outside. The executive of the Amalgamated Railway Tramway Associa* ion decided that no member of any other branch of the Association sh.'l fill the place of a striker, at the same time deprecating precipitate action at the presont*time. There are rumors of a possibility of the Electrical Trades ujiion inn 1 the Waterside Workers Union slTiAi’ig in sympathy. A meeting of tho l'< rmer lias been called for t->-nigiit.

OLD SERVANTS '{RUNNING THE TRAMS.

PREMIER’S DECIDED REFUSAL

United Press Association. Copyright . (Received July 26, 6.34 p.m.)

SYDNEY, July 25. A fairly good service has been maintained with the trams to-day. Many old servants of the railway service came forward _in the crisis. A constable accompanies each car. Several arrests have been made for intimidation. One man' received a month’s imprisonment.' Another attempt was made to per--suade the Premier to take action, on behalf of the men, blit he remains inflexible, and adheres to the determination that the men must first return to duty. , / . A GRAVE position. SYDNEY’S INDUSTRIAL LIFE THREATENED. ALL UNIONS TO GO ON STRIKE. ■ , , ' United Press Association. Copyright (Received July 26, 4.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 26. ‘ The strike situation is becoming 'grave. There is now an indication of a great industrial upheaval. At’the Trades Hall last night the atmosphere was electrical. • The Labor Council discussed' the situation, but the greatest 'secrecy was maintained. It is stated, 'however, that a resolution, was passed calling upon all unions. to strike at noon to-mor-row unless the tramway trouble is ended. The Wharf Laborers Union is believed to bo ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

The police are being largely reinforced from the country districts. The weakness of the men’s position at present, lies in the, fact that the power-hom-fa men have noft struck here. The engineers are members of the Institute, and this body lias not taken, any action in connection with the strike.

GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION

A STRIKERS' PROCESSION,

United Press Association, Copyright (Received July 27, 1 a.m.)

SYDNEY, . July 26. A moderate service was maintained to-day. No trams are run after six at night. It is understood the Government has decided to take action in regard to tlie strike under tho Industrial Disputes Act, but in what direction has not been divulged, Tlio railway men’s representatives, after conferring with the representatives of the Tramway Men’s Association, the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, and tl’.o Labor Council, decided to wait on the Commissioners to-morrow to present certain requests which have not been divulged. If the reply is not favorable a meeting will bo called to consider the situation.

The Labor Council to-morrow asks Mr. Wade to appoint an independent board to deal with the Croucher case, The strikers and their supporters paraded the streets this afternoon, and afterwards held a monster demonstration at the Domain, at which '70,000 were present. The meeting i clop ted resolutions of sympathy with 'the strikers. During tho procession, and-after tho meeting, the tram service was stopjmd bv request of the police, so as to obviate any possible hostile demonstration.

AUCKLAND SYMPATHY

[Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 25. Mr. Rosser lias telegraphed to Mr., Young, secretary of the Tramways Union, Wellington: “Norton cables warning New Zealand men to keep away from Sydney. Will you do it from the Executive, and let Sydney know New Zealand does not breed tramway blacklegs, and wish the Sydney men well? Our men aro calm and resigned since the Board’s decision.”