STRIKING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 74, 4 April 1913, Page 5

STRIKING.

THE POSmCW IN N.S.W. SPREAD OF DISAFFECTION. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] (Received 9.15 a.in.) Sydney, April 4. The efforts continued late last night to settle the railway strike proved futile, and the position is a delicate one. Important developments arc probable to-day. A mass meeting of men unanimously rejected Mr Carmichael’s proposals (which had the Railway Commissioner’s sanction) that the men should return to work pending a reference to the special Wages Board. The strike has extended to the Sydney goods sheds. Fifty weighbridge clerks, lashers, and shooters vacated their posts. It is reported that the shunters are on the verge of coming out. It lias also been decided to call out the employees of the Alexandria yards.

This would completely cripple Sydney’s goods traffic. The railway clerks decided to cease work if asked to do the strikers’ duties. 'the Newcastle men were asked to join with the object of gaining their support, as at present the goods art conveyed by sea to Newcastle, anti thence are forwarded north and west by rail. It is understood that it is not at present the intention of the strikers to seek an extension of the trouble to the passenger traffic, hut the men make no secret of the fact that il they arc in difficulties, the guards mat cease. The Trolly and Draymen’s Union will be asked to support by refusing to cart goods to and from the railway yards. PILING UP THE GOODS.

The despatch of goods to the country stations is at a standstill, immense quantities standing in trucks and in sheds, and unguarded in all weather, the sheeters joining the strike, making it impossible to obtain covers.

The dislocation of city business is widespread, and serious loss is also feared unless there is an early settlement.

Many of the country towns are placed in an unenviable position; they want supplies, while the city fruit and vegetable supply is threatened. The milling trade is being jeopardised, and there is a possibility of many employers becoming idle for the want of wheat supplies from the country.

The latest development of the Barrier strike is all the men who had remained in employment with the Silvertown Tramway Company iiave been called out. The premises were picketed before work was stopped.

Several truckloads of chaff have reached, town, temporarily relieving the position as far as feeding a large number of the mine horses are concerned, but a famine in this and a number of other commodities cannot long be staved off. The clerks have fallen into line with the strikers and formed a union. THE ONE STUMBLING BLOCK The Minister of Railways asked the Commisisoner to meet the wishes of the men in every possible way. The Commissioner objects to the award of the proposed Wages Board being made retrospective.

This is the one stumbling block in the way of settlement. As the result of the southern coal strike, Hughes’ woollen mills at Botany, have been closed. The Northern Miners’ Delegate Board struck a levy of 2[- per centum to support the southerners.