AFTERMATH OF STRIKE.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 October 1917, Page 6

AFTERMATH OF STRIKE.

WIDESPREAD DISTRESS. STATE RELIEF PROVIDED. i SYDNEY, Oct. 5. The strike is practically over, but tlv of industry >*as been so great that thousands of workers will be unablo to return to their former employment for some time, if ft ail- The long period of negotiation between the coaiminers and the Government ended this week in the men commencing work. Reports received last night indicate that almost all the mines are in operation again. It was a surrender in the case of the miners, as in all the other industries. The steamer services are expected to be in full owing again next week, much to the relief of travellers. Thousands of people, in the eastern States, are awaiting transportation to "West Australia and the northern territory of New Zealand. Judging by the inquiries made at the shipping offices, the New Zealandets "stranded" here awaiting steamers numbered several hundreds, including many invalided soldiers. There arc many cases of people having waited six and eight weeks for a berth.

Reports of great distress among the families of men out of work arc being disseminated from the Trades Hall, and an organised appeal for public assistance is being made. The public is not viewing the matter very kindlyPeople see, on one side, the leaders of the unfortunate strikers asking assistance for the families of men who were deliberately dragged away from -work, on tk3 other, helpless Avomen and children, who arc in no way to blame for the strike, literally starving because of it. The extent of the distress is wide. "Wood is being distributed from the Trades Hall, and all day long a stream of poverty-stricken women flows through the building. At the hall, one day this week, 7? is estimated 1200 persons, mostly women, sought and obtained relief. Some harrowing tales of poverty come from the slum districts around Pyrnioat and Eedfern. FUND OF £20,000. An announcement has been made by the Acting-Premier Mr G. W. Fuller, that the Government has decided to vote £20,000 for th.e relief of the' distress at present existing in New South Wales. Mr Fuller said the Government was hopeful that before very long industrial conditions would get back to normal, but unfortunaTely a great deal of distress did now exist, and the Government had decided* to set apart as a first instalment for the relief of the distress the sum of £20,000. If unfortunately there should be any further necessity the Government would see that sufficient sum was set apart so that women and children would suffer as little as possible. The distribution of relief is being organised by the Attorney-General, iMr. G. R. Hall, who is utilising the services of the Benevolent Society of New South Wales' in Sydney, and" of the local Mayors in the suburbs and the country districts. STOPPING FOOD FOB TROOPS. "I do not intend to waste time .in expressing my opinion, of the action, taken in stopping supplies for the troops," said Judge Curlewis, in cancelling the registration of the Cold Storage Employees' Union. "Treason and baseness arc such common attributes cf a certain type of unionist in these times that one has ceased to feel surprised. This union cannot boast that it was as traitorous or as base as the unions who refused to coal transports or man hospital ships, but it has the consolation of knowing that~t was as traitorous and base as it had the power to be. I believe that in removing this union from the register and giving an opportunity for the formation of a new union, whose members will be ashamed of giving active assistance of the Germans, I am conferring a benefit upon those men." In explaining the origin of the application. Judge Curlewis, said that on August 1G Galloway, secretary of the union, called, in company with two members of the executive of another union, on the general manager of the Freeh Food and Ice Com,pany, (ajnd informed him that all meat in storage had been declared black by the Strike Defence Committee, and that the members cf his union would refuse to handle it. The, material which the men refused to handle consisted partly of meat required for military camps and partly of rabbits required for a transport. In the case of Skating Rink Company part of the material was urgently required for a transport. In the case of John Ccoke and Company the material consisted of meat, the property of the Imperial Government, required for war purposes. This Galloway and his union knew. The Judge also ordereS that the preference clause should be struck out of the award. "i **»«