Later.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 112, 9 May 1903, Page 3

Later.

Government Refuse to Give Way. Strike to Commence at Midnight. Authorities Refuse to Book Pas- * sengers and Goods. GREAT EXCITEMENT. Beceived 8, 6.(0 p.m. I It is now stated that unless the Government gives way th* strike commences at midnight to-night. The Cabinet have been sitting since noon discussing the situation. The Government offered two months doable silary to all employees remaining loyal. The railway authorities refuse to book p-Fsengers to stations cot reached before m'dnighfc. All goods traffic is k)so refused, There is intense excitement, GOVERNMENT RETALIATION Received 6.50 p.m. . Mklboubhb, May 8, 5.12 p.m. The strike is now inevitable. The Oabinet, in reply to the engine drivers

letter, h*s informed the men that the ordera cannot ba withdrawn. The i Premier etates tfcat all men leaving i duty will forfeit their rights to peni sions or compet suion. i , Melbourne, May 8. > The men have received a eablß of • sympathy from the Auckland Labour Council. There are 11,482 men involved in the dispute. The combined funds of i the four unions amount to £72,000. i In the event of the membsra of the executive being dismissed, they will • carry the matter to the Appeal Board, ■ and finally to tbe Supreme Court. Svdney, M«y 8. i The Sidney Labour Cr.uncil paFßdd! s'rong resolutions expressing disgust! at the action of the Victorian Government. The Council, which numbers 44,000 pledged itself to support the' men in the atrocirus treatment meted I out to them. I The Hou. E. W. O'Sullivan, Minist«r of Works, speaking at the bir.quet | of tbe S'one Masons Union, ventured, an opinion on the trouble and in favour! of the men. All th y asked, he s»id,' was freedom and the great heart of the l people of Australia sympathised with the men. LIMITED SERVICE ARRANGED, SERVICE OF PENSIONERS REQUISITIONED. Received 9.12 am Melbourne, May 8. The Government has arranged for train services in the event of a strike, No trains will run at nigh l ', and [suburban traffic will ba restricted to three hours in the morning and four in the afternoon. Wh r n the/ tramways serve the suburbs the trains will be discontinued. Speed is to be reduced by cn9 third, and only one train will run daily to Sydney, the journey occupying six hours longer. Forty-eight hours will be consumed between Melbourne and Adelaide. The Department can count on 60 ensiresrs and tho si me number of firemen, consisting chitfly of men retired on pension. Received 9, 12 a.m. Shine f, May 8. Mr O'Sullivan's reference to the Victorian Railway dispute is adveraely criticised in many quir'ers Mr Crick, when his opinion wa=i asked, deputed his colleague as a man who broke cut at any time, in any place, and on any suV ject.