The Strike.

Manawatu Herald, 14 May 1903, Page 2

The Strike.

Speaking at a banquet given by the Mayor, the Premier (Mr Irvine) said that come what might, the people would never allow the control of their property to pass into the hands of any section of the community whatever, and they would -never hand down to their children a heritage of surrender and inisgovernment. The “ Argus ” says;—“ The , strikers have underestimated the steady, determined, unflinching front the community will oppose to the attempted dictation of a small minority, The Governments of Europgjj&a've. a short way trough these caSm The strength of a Democratic Owernraent in such an emergeggy/has how to be tested.” “All the jeadipg ihter-State newspapers publish headers condemnatory to the aotfem, consider that the were advised, and that the blundewAhuStv end in lasting defeat. SCENES REPORTED. The strikers anticipate that the levy on railway men in the other State will alone yield £2OOO weekly. Several attempts to block trainsare reported. Near Moonee Ponds a heavy rail was placed across the line. It is alleged that the cause of the engine leaving the tails at Port Melbourne was interference with the points, and that 5 the derailment of an engine at .Seymour was due to a similar cause. The good-sheds at Spencer street are strongly guarded by police. Already shipping is beginning to feel the , efforts of the rush for berthing accommodation. More vessels will be put on. Delay is being caused in the handling of cargo owing to the want of railway facilities. The real pinch of the position will not be felt for a few days. Large firms are taking steps to reduce tlie number of their hands owing to the slackness of business, and it is expected that before the end of the week several, thousand employees will be thrown idle. THE MAILS. Arrangements are complete for forwarding mails to and from Melbourne to Sydney by steamer until | a through train service is again j assured. The Dumbea took a large con- j sigmnent, inoUudng English mails.

These will be shipped by the Orotava which is being detained at Melbourne STAGNATION OF TRADE. At a meeting of representatives of the soft goods trade, it was decided that it would be compulsory to close factories sooner or later owing to inability to forward orders to their destination. The supplies, at the timber mills are cut off Sharp and Sons and James Moore have been compelled to close, throwing two hundred and thirty hands out of employment. Trade generally is stagnated. Numbers of firms Have notified their employees that their services will probably not be required next Week. • ■' . There is a great demand for condensed milk and tinned meats and fish, for which prices show a strong advance. AS large shipments of Wheat are arriving, the fear of a serious rise in the price of breadstuffa is dispelled. The train to Albury was compelled to stop at Wangaratta, 145 miles from Melbourne, owing to the engine breaking down. The train had to remain there all night. The line was found to be greased at some of the inclines, ATTITUDE OF THE NEW SO UTH WALES'GOVERNMENT. . The New South Wales Cabinet has dismissed the Victorian railwayStrike, and has decided to maintain a neutral position. VIEWS OP THE ENGLISH NEWSPAPERS. The Standard ” says that the, strike, besides being immediately injurious to Victoria’s prosperity, is a manifestation of general danger to the Commonwealth. It characterises the strike as the deliberate attempt of a political party to obtain control of the business in order to dictate to the Government. It declares that Mr Irvine ■premier of Victoria) is right to incur any hazard to prevent a section of the community obtaining dictatorial power. The “ Morning Post ” says : —-If the Government remains firm there there is no doubt as to the final issue. It is monstrous that irresponsible strikers should have power to dislocate traffic- and interfere with the conveniences and comforts of millions of people. The “Daily Graphic ” declares' that since Civil servants in Victoria have been granted direct legislative representation the action of the Japour bodies is all the more indefensible. The Government have issued a proclamation warning people under the penalty of the law not to assemble in the streets or in the neighbourhood of the railway stations or yards, and calling upon the public to assist in maintaining law | and order, j The latest development in'conI nection with the strikers the decision of the Daily-paid Union, with with the exception of the president and secretary, to obey the Government. The union has accordingly, withdrawn from affiliation with the Trades Hall. A fund has been started to reward the drivers and firemen who have proved loyal to the Government. The Chamber of Manufacturers has voted fifty pounds weekly to the fund. Members of the Stock Exchange and many others are also contributing.