The Victorian Railways.

Manawatu Herald, 12 May 1903, Page 2

The Victorian Railways.

STRIKE OP THE EMPLOYEES. There are 11,482 men involved in the dispute. The combined funds of the four unions amount to £72 • 000. A prominent railway officer says there will be no strike. In the event of the members of the executive being dismissed they will carry the matter to the Appeal Board, and finally to the Supreme Court. It is now stated that unless the Government gives way the strike commences at midnight to-night (Friday.) Cabinet has been sitting noon discussing the situation. The Government has offered two months’ double salary to alt employees remaining loyal. The railway authorities are refusing to book passengers to stations not reached before midnight. All goods traffic is being refused. There is intense excitement in the city. The Premier (Mr Irvine) states that all men leaving duty will forfeit their rights to pensions or compensation. ARRANGEMENTS FOR RESTRICTED TRAFFIC. The Government has arranged for its train services in the event of a strike. No trains are to run at night, and suburban traffic is to be restricted to three hours in the morning and four in the afternoon. Where suburbs are served by tramways, trains will be discontinued. The speed of trains will be reduced ofie-third. There will be only one train daily to Sydney, the journey occupying six hours longer than at present. Forty-eight hours will be taken to run from Melbourne to Adelaide. The Railway Department can count on sixty engineers and the same number of firemen, consisting chiefly of men who had retired on pensions. The strike of railway workmen commenced at midnight on Friday. Early on'Saturday it was found impossible to carry out even the partial time-table arranged, as there were not enough drivers or firemen, a number of those who were expected having failed to put in an appearance.