AUSTRALIAN STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1917, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN STRIKE

[PEK PItESS ASSOCIATION. —COPTBIGHT.] • . THE STRIKE ENDED. MEN TO RESUME TO-DAY. SYDNEY, September 10. Ihe strike committee hns unanimously decided to instruct the railway and tramway employeeos to resume work on Tuesday morning. , So far the Australian Engineers blacksmiths, amalgamated engineers amalgamated engine-drivers and cleaners have accepted the docision. Other sectional unions arc considering their attitude.

DELAYED SYDNEY NEWS. FROM DAY TO DAY. WELLINGTON, September 10. Following nro additional strike ’items intended as cables by tho Association’s Sydney office but forwarded by mail SYDNEY, August. 20. Messrs Kavanagh, Thompson, and Willis were remanded, bail being allowed ■of iAut) each.

Tiie Defence Committee declared that tho arrests would only steel the men to continue to strike.

’J he police raided the Trades Hall and seized the books and money collected for the relef of the strikers The Newcastle Defence Committee adopted a resolution in favour of a general istriko embracing tho whole Commonwealth.

Mr. Fuller (acting Homier) has nnifouncod that there are sufficient volunteers and no more were wanted. ! Counsel on behalf of the Railway I Corn’miisioners have applied for a recession of tho awards of tho striking railway and tramway unions. The Government disclaimed any intention to reduce wages or to attack the union. Its only desire was to bring home to tho men that they must not allow themselves to bo led into conflict with tho law. Tho hearing was adjourned. The Broken Hill minors have struck, and have decided not to resume till the Sydney strike leaders arc* released also to pay no rent during the currency of tho strike. Seven thousand men are idle and the coalminers angered at the Government’s action declare that there wifi be no settlement as far as they are concerned till legislation permitting freo labour in tho mines is repealed. Three hundred employees in the Colonial Sugar Refinery have struck over the question of their award. The Commissioner, Mr. Fraser, at their request addressed 1500 of his ex-om-ployees and endeavoured to prove that they were being misled on tho strength of suspicions only. He Solemnly promised that, he had no intention to introduce Taylor, or any other bad American card system or speed up. He reiterated bis previous promises and disclaimed victimisation. Further conferences between the strike committee and Mr. Fraser praved futile. SYDNEY, August 21.

Over 200 volunteers are working on the wharves and .elsewhere. At a meeting of the Merchant Service Guild of Australasia it was decided to assist Government in any capacity. A good number of coastal stoamors aro now running. Tlrere is a butter famine and shortages of sugar and salt are the chief disabilities, otherwise conditions in the city are now largely normal. Over 2000 tram and raiiwaymen have resumed and the places of 1900 others have been filled by volunteers. Surfacemen and others keeping the coalmines in order have been called out but the proprietors have taken steps to prevent the flooding of the pits. The Commonwealth has taken control of all available coal. SYDNEY, August 22. The miners refused the ultimatum to return to work. The Government has issued a proclamation, taking possession of all coalmines in the State. Tho Broken Hill labour Council has called a general strike in the Barrier district. A deputation from tlio Melbourne Trades Hall Council asked for Federal intervention in itko striikh. Mt Hughes, after consulting with the New South Wales Attorney-General stated that tho New South Wales Government considered itself capable of dealing with the strike. It did not desire intervention. Therefore, ns both parties did not desire it he could not intervene

SYDNEY, August 23. The Industrial Court lias cancelled the registration of the railway an! tramway unions involcved in tne strife The brick companies in tho Metropolitan area are closing owing to want of fuel Already numbers of public work* an "factories have closed adding considerably to tho number unemployed. SYDNEY, August 24. Including those who remained loyal and those returning over 2,000 men are now working on the railways and trama, riio Legislative Assembly without debate, negatived the motion of the leader of the Opposition censuring the Government connection witi the strike hv 40 votes to 23. Mr. Fuller replying to a number ol indirect overtures regarding a Moment emphatically refused to further negotiations with the strike commi tees which he described as illegal

bodies. , _ A fleet of colliers with scratch crows are bringing coals for urgent require-! ments. . ' . n- , SYDNEY, August 20. I ! Meetings of the colliery proprie--1 tors endorsed the Government taking ' possession of the mines. The rail - ! ways have so greatly improved that the Commissioners yest/erjdav worn * able to give an hourly service up till ■ eleven o’clock at night on the sub- ' urban lines. Another bomb was drop--1 P ed by the strike leaders on a campI Ruckley, a member of the Assembly, 1 who had taken a prominent part in strike matters was arrested on charges • of conspiracy and sedition. Bail o ; £2on was allowed. The President of the Sydney Branch of the Amalgamated Engmeors, in a significant statement said that the Government’s action might bring about the collapse of the stnkc > so far ns it relates to a great hotly of men who were not concerned with the merits of the card system, hut skilled craft unions would never return to the shops under threat of the lash.