REJECTED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 77, 8 April 1913, Page 5

REJECTED.

SETTLEMENT PROPOSALS.

ABORTIVE STRIKE CONFERENCE

[By Electric Telegraph—-Copyright] [United Press Ass on at (Received 9.50 a.m.)

Sydney, April 8

At the Conference of the Government and the railway strikers’ representatives, five of the conditions attached by the men in acceptance of t.ie Government’s offer oi a Royal Commission were agreed to with Biigat modifications, but the Government definitely rejected two conditions that no prosecutions would be instituted, and that the finding commission would be retrospective from the date of resumption.

Mr Johnson, chief coinmissioner ol railways, declined absolutely to agree to the award being retrospective. The men’s representative suggested that the Government should assume the responsibility of making the award retrospective and reimburse the railway commissioner from tlie Consolidated Revenue, but the Government refused. The Government’s rejection of the conditions relating to prosecutions be ing made retrospective in the aware proved a stumbling block to a settle meat of the railway trouble, and when the men’s, representatives’ returned and announced this rejection at the mass meeting, considerable feeling was shown. One of the men’s representatives said Mr Johnson would issue an ultimatum to-day inviting every mar back, and anyone refusing would Jose all privileges and even his billet.

One striker, in his speech, saic 1 they had seen a royal commission ir connection with Newcastle strike, am nothing had come of it; they had seer, the southern miners’ Royal Commission, and after six months the men had no alternative but to strike; also seen a Royal Comraisison on British railways regarding which an Englisl member told them that the men were not engaged to the extent of five per centum. Royal Commissions Mere a failure as far as the workers were concerned.

The majority, counted by a show of hands, was so large-against the Government’s proposals that m, division was called for.' U!! The men decided to meet to-day. It is stated that probably the strike will spread over the whole of New South Wales, as;faa| as, the goods traffic was concerned. Great enthusiasm was displayed throughout the meeting. The strikers declare that they do not desire to interfere ’with passenger traffic 01 inconvenience the public, but the 1 “ I S » A \ | f f u guards and shunters are only awaiting for a word to come out. ... rr JfflliMU GOVERNMENT COULD DO NO MORE. STEPS TO RESTORE, TRAFFIC. THE GENERAL SECRETARY’S ADVICE (Received 9.40 a.ra.) Mr < Carmichael,. interviewed, said . “We went to the furthest limit in order to assist the men. Mr John--1 1 £:» tl son, in deference to our wishes, did not proceed to (ill the strikers’ places hut to-day ho proposes to take steps to restore the traffic.” Mr Carmichael added: “Mr John son is in the same position as any other employer as far as the Government is concerned, and the Government has no control over him.”

In this direction, Mr Catts, genera 1 secretary of the Strikers’ Union, remarked: “The public will now see who can last the longest. Although the Government’s amended proposals did not go as far as they ought to have, I advised the men to accept, but they declined.”

FUNDS PROM VICTORIA. Melbourne, April 8. The Victorian Railwaymen’s Union offered financial aid, and Mr Catts replied that if dispute was settled shortly, no help would be required.