THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1917, Page 1

THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

NEATS CENSORED

A GIU.VE OUTLOOK

(Per Press Association— Copyri

AVELTNGTOIN Aug. 13.

The Australian censors have ovirentiy refused to allow any cables regarding tlie Sydney strike to . pass since last Tuesday. A message of enquiry to the Press Association’s office produced no response and app.uvntJy was not delivered. Privates advice says iliat '‘Never was the outlook in any strike so omious. The movement lias altogether a semi-revolutionary aspect and tlm Government and people are accepting it., Preparations have been made very quietly, hut very thoroughly. For once, tlie community is in dead earnest and ready to back extreme action.” The writer hints at force being used

il : necessary. ’ • Extracts from Sydney papers state tliat during Tuesday, after the stoppage. of file regular services, sixty trains were operating, and an improveed service in country and suburban trains was also being maintained by aid of efficient workmen, who remained loyal. No trains inn after usginfall, not for lack of men but because the commissioners ('considered it. advisable to discontinue the services after dark. A large number of railway and Irani men who had struck went back to work. The Government renewed its offer of adequate protection and a reward for workers who remained loyal, or who volunteered to keep the services going. Many offers, of assistance were received The Government's offer of an immediate investigation and redress of real grievances remains good. The strikers defence, committee m detailing the objections to the card system said that there had been an offer of systems in use privately, which would not he objectionable. Serious results of the strike are reported from country centres, and locolliery districts are particularly depressed owing to the threatened stoppage of the coal trade.. Wednesdays happenings showed improved railway , and tram services, 16C trains being in use while 62 trains ran, most for morning and evening business the normal average for which is 94 trains, and as the Railway Commissioners’ organisation was good the services wm'O taken to prevent interference with the local men running the trains. The railway unions called oil big industrial organisations for support, and the latter after long meetings sent delegates to the Government, asking for an immediate enquiry and tlie withdrawal of the caid system. This the Government unhesitatingly declined to agree to. The position on Thursday afternoon, however, indicated that the outlook was growing more serious. Fully Ib.OpO men are on strike and only isolated trams and trains are running. Though these are called “scab” they are rushed by people anxious to reach their destinations. The watersiders and slaughtermen were discussing the question whethei or not they would come out also. Mr C. H. Ensor, the Canterbury slump farmer who., has just returned from/ Sydney, declared that an ugly feeling prevails, and there is going to he trouble, hut tlie New South Wales Government/ was going, to he firm, though ho was afraid the same could not be said of the Queensland Govern-: tnent, if the trouble should spread there. , The Queensland shearing was at a standstill hint other trouble seethed likely there. Reverting to the Sydney strike, M r Ensor said that both sides seemed very dotetmihod., Tlie {hiblio wel'e up against the strikers—in fact he had never known a strike in which popular opinion was so strong against the strikers. No rising had occurred, but ho would not he surprised if considerable trouble occurred before the strike ended.

the strike spreading. SYDNEY, Aug. 13., . tile iiglitiiig, hefttingv Hrid cookirig restrictions existing during the recent coal strike, are being enforced in order to economise fuel. . _■ . i Tlie ship painters and dockers struck to-day. TROUBLE AT FREEAf ANTiLF,., FREEMANTLE, Aug. 13- . The wharf labourers refused to handle export flour for Singapore arid Dutch- ports. Foreign loading lias been suspended.