SYDNEY TRAMWAY STIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 416, 28 July 1908, Page 3

SYDNEY TRAMWAY STIKE.

J More Particulars. Sydney, July 26. A fairly good service was maintained by the trams to-day. Many old servants of the railway service have come forward in the crisis. A constable accompanies each car. Several arrests have been made for intimidation. One man received a month’s imprisonment. Another attempt has been made to persuade the Premier to take action on behalf of the men, but he remains inflexible, and adheres to his determination that they must first return to duty. There are now indications ot a great industrial upheaval. The police are. being largely reinforced from the country districts. The weakness of the men’s position at present lies in the fact that the power-house men have not struck here. The engineers are members of the Institute, and this body has not taken any action in connection with the strike. The Labour Council will tomorrow ask Mr Wade, the Premier, to appoint an independent Board to deal with the case of Croucher, the tramway man who was dismissed.

The strikers and their supporters paraded the streets this afternoon, and afterwards held a monster demonstration in the Domain, 70,000 being present. The gathering adopted resolutions of sympathy with the strikers. During the procession and after the meeting the tram service was stopped, by request of the police, so as to obviate possible hostile demonstrations.

It is admitted on all hands that the position is very critical, and will need the most careful handling or a general strike will be precipitated.

The Government’s intention to take action under the Industrial Disputes Act is assumed to mean either that they are willing to agree to the appointment of a tribunal to consider the dispute or that it has been decided to arrest the strike leaders.

' The Executive of the railway enginemeu sat all yesterday, and at the conclusion the secretary announced that it had been decided to stand by the strikers. Whether immediate action is taken depends upon the reply of the Chief Commissioner to a request to be made to him this morning. The speeches in the domain demonstration yesterday were moderate in character. One speaker declared the strike was now in the hands of the Labour Council, with 80,000 Unionists behind them, and they would see the strikers through. Another big. demonstration was held in Newtown. It is reported that the Parliamentary Labour party is opposed to the strike throughout, and is unfavourable to its extension. The trams were running this morning and an improved service is promised during the day. The authorities profess to have no fear of their ability to maintain the power supply and have also received numerous volunteer officers to help to run the trams. A small attempt has been made to resume the running at Broken Hill. The Coal-lumpers’ Union has notified the Southern coal-owners that they will not resume working until 2 to-day in order to enable then* to attend a mass meeting, which it is stated was called to deal with some internal trouble but it is believed it also has a bearing on the tram trouble. The strikers are receiving many messages of support. The Miners’ Federation and Wharf Labourers’ Union have adopted resolutions of sympathy and have promised support. The Victorian Labour Party has expressed its sympathy.