TRAMWAY STRIKE IN SYDNEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 415, 25 July 1908, Page 3

TRAMWAY STRIKE IN SYDNEY.

Employees Object to Espionage. All Lines Idle. Sydney, July 24. After yesterday’s interview between the Railway Commissioners and the representatives of the Tramway Employees’ Union a mass meeting ot the day shift men was held. The president announcd the decision of the Commissioners. The Chief Commissioner promised to consider and reorganise the espionage system, but firmly refused to reconsider the demand for the re-instatement of Conductor Croucher, dismissed as a result of the espionage system. The president of the Union, addressing the meeting, from which the press were excluded, while not advising a strike, said ou'y one course was open. If they decided to come out it would not be on the e pionagesystem only, but on every question of importance affecting tramway men. He announced that the steam tram drivers, powerhouse men and electrical staff would be with them in the event of a strike.

A ballot taken at a late hour resulted in 1420 voting for and 32 against, a strike at noon to-day. A meeting of the night - shift takes place in the forenoon, but its decision cannot alter the position, as last night the vote for the strike was more than the whole number expected to vote to-day. Although the men propose to leave the trams wherever they happen to beat noon, they will stand by until the Department’s officers arrive to take charge, and should the power-house men participate they will see the cars run into the sheds before leaving their posts. The Superintendent of Tramways has declared that if an emergency arose the Commissioners and staff were fully prepared. As far as could reasonably be foreseen everything was provided.

It is understood the Commissioners are prepared to make a determined effort to keep the trams running.

It is stated that during the last few days 47 clerks and. tramway officers have been receiving instructions. in electric car-driving. The old steam-motors have been overhauled, with a view to their possible use.

The Grand Council of the Railway and Tramway Men’s Union, at its last meeting, adopted a resolution of sympathy with the trammen, and to support their efforts to have the espionage system abolished. The Trades and Labour Council also endorsed their action. The strike has commenced.

Finding that some men were being relieved from duty as the cars reached the power-house, the others immediately came out, leaving ihe trams standing in the streets.

All lines are idle. The cars are being removed into the powerhouse.

Large crowds are watching the operation.