STRIKE ENDED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 118, 16 May 1903, Page 3

STRIKE ENDED.

Men Surrender Ciw conditionally. Received 15, 5.55 p.m. Welbhtrnb, May 15. The stake is ended, the men hiving unconditionally surrendered. OONFKREHCE ARB iNQBS SET TLBMENT. BTRIOTEBT SSCKBOT OBSERVED. NEWB RECEIVED WITH INOEIDULirY. GOVEBHMESTS POSITION DEFINED. MEN AOOEPT TERMS. Becelved 16,1.15 p.m. Melbourne, May 15. - The settlement of the strike was •Ranged at & conference bstween the Premier, the Minister of Railways, the Leaden of the Opposition and of the Labour Party, Messrs Daffy and Madden, and tha President and Secretary of the Eogine Drivers' Association. It was surmised a conference was being held with regard to the strike, but the strictest secrecy was observed B8 to the nature of the proceedings. The Conference broke up at 2.30, when it was understood it would meet again. The first news was received with incredulity. First authoritative news caae from the Premier who, at four oVock, made a statement in the legislative Asß3mb,y. On rising to epaik he was greeted with loud cheers. He wid:—" It is extremely gra'ifying to me to be placed in the position of being able to announce that the unfortunate ■irike has come to an end. I received this morning, through the favour of the Leader of the Opposition and other gentlemen, the following letter from the President and Secretary of the .Engine-drivers and Firemens' Association:—" Sir, on behalf ef the members of the above Associat'oa now on strike we desire to intimate that we have declared the strike off, and that the Association as a body is prepared to return to work, in the full confidence that we will receive justice at your hands." Continu - ing, Mr Irvine s*id, "In a matter of this sort it seemed to the Government there should bs left no possible room for misunderstanding as to their position. Th'refore, after consultation with my colleagues, I wrote the following letter:—" I have to acknowledge your letter, in which you have-declared the strike off. Recognising that this is intended a3 a compliance with the order of the Commissioner to withdraw yonr affiliation with the Trades Hall Council, the Government has taken yonr letter into consideration. I have had the aE6urance of the gentlemen who conveyed your letter to me that they fully explained to you the intention of the Government as publicly expressed in the enclosed statement. In addition to matters specifically referred to in that statement, and in order to prevent any possible misunderstanding, I have to state that any members of the Association who will be permitted to resume duty, will be so permitted only on the understanding that the Government Bhall be left with unfettered discretion to allow, or disallow, wholly or partially, all pensions or compensation rights which have already accrued, or are accruing, according to the merit of individual CBes. J stall be glad to have your confirmation c-f these points." The Premier wtnt on to say ha receiv d a rep'y to the «ffect that the Aepociation fully nndeistood and accepted the term 9 the Government imposed. Disavowing all feelirgsof exultation, the Premier went on to say he wished it to bs understood that the men would not ccme back in a body, as tbo.-e men who were recently engaged must have consideration, and only a certain pro portion of strikers could be taken back.

The nun who|had taken a leading part in the Btiike, or committed ac's of intimidation, or ltft engicfs at points, would rot be taken back, but those who had reluctantly joined the strike through beiDg cajoled, or out of a fefling c f loyalty to their comrade?, would be treated magnanimously. As rfparded the pension and other light?, in all probability many of thosa enpayed in the i-trike wr-u'd have to euffi-r. Those whom w<> can admit into the service we will admit, witha full regai4 to tbe interests of the p>=opl°, bu', snbj- ct to tha% we shall certainly fndfavourtotemper j-mM'ce with mercy, and ext-rcise an sbsolut* impartiality is admitting back those who participated in the unhappy conflict,

Sir A. J. Peacock, in response to re-! peated calls, rose amidst cheers, and congratulated the country on whit had be?n done. He and others who had been woiking in tha interests of peace ■ were glad to think tbty had been of u c e, Ho had to express the greatest admiration for thn representatives of the men they had h».d to deal with. Other members expressed their congratulations. There was no further attempt to discuss the Stiike Bill. After three chetrs had been given for the Premier atd Sir A. J. Peacock, the House adjourned till Tues-} day.

NEWS SP2E4DS LIKE WILDFIRE. GBEAT JUBILATION. Received 16,1 34 a.m. Melbourne, May 15. The resvs spread through the city like wildfire. The negotiations were kept so secret, atd such a fiim front was maintained right up to the time of the surrender, that i he end came as a glad surpi ise. The city was in a tremendous state of excitement and jubilation, which was continued till late to-night. Preparations were at once commenced to restore the train services, which are expected to fce greatly improved tomorrow. Throughout the Commonwealth there is great rel ef ard rejoicing that the disastrcus struggle has happily ended. Receive 115,10.40 p.m. London, May 15. The financial News says tbat Australian Statesmen by pandering to labour agitators have created serious problems which, unless effectively faced, will cause the prosperity of the Oommonweal.h to vanish permanently.