WORK AND WAGES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1, 6 May 1913, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

SEQUEL TO RAILWAY STRIKE

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Assjc wr;«N. •

Sydney, May o

As a sequel to the railway strike, -Mr .Justice Heydon, in the Industrial Court, delivered judgment in the cases of 19 porters who left work at Darling Harbour. When the matter was before the Court counsel raised the question whether the men’s action constituted a strike. Mr Justice Heydon found that they actOd in concert, and the essence of a strike was a concerted cessation of work without tiie consent of the employers. They chose an exceptionally busy day at the railway yards, on which they were public servants in charge of one of the links of communication between the metropolis and the rest of the State. They broke up this link, and caused great inconvenience and loss. The choice of an exceptionally busy day, when perishable goods might he destroyed, was a circumstance of extreme aggravation. It was pure destruction .of their fellow citizens’ private property at the very moment when the Board was considering an award under which their fellow citizens made them a present by wages of £60,000 annually. Many striker now displayed a character of reckless malice, as if it were a grudge against society and a desire to injure it as much as possible. He lined sixteen of the leading porters £lO each, and 33 porters £7 and costs, each fine to be levyable upon their wages. the cost of a strike. (Received 9.20 a.m.) Sydney, May 6. It is estimated that the southern strike cost the miners £BO,OOO in wages. TROUBLE IX NORTHERN TERRITORY. CLERKS UNLOADING STEAMER. (Received 10.30 a.m.) Darwin, May 6. Dr. Gil ruth, Administrator of the Northern Territory, has arrived. r J he Strike Committee presented their demand, hut Dr. Gilruth refused, staling that ho had no power to grant it, but they could submit it to arbitration. A meeting of the men rejected the offer and decided to adhere to the demand for £4 per week ol fortyfour hours

Tho clerical staff aro assisting the crow of tho steamer Linschoten to unload tho Government cargo.