SYDNEY GASWORKS STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 223, 14 January 1911, Page 5

SYDNEY GASWORKS STRIKE

ALLEGED DRUNKENNESS. THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. I By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, January 13. Unless the gasworks employees resume to-day tihe gasometers will be exhausted by two o'clock. The dismissed man is secretary of the employees' union, and the dispute had been in progress for ten days, frequent conferences having been held without result. The charge preferred against the secretary was that he was under the influence of drink whilst performing an important duty. The employees aver that trouble has been brewing for a long time, and the employee got into the company's bad books through taking a prominent part in matters pertaining to the union's policy. The question of a strike had been discussed at many meetings, and the union demanded the reinstatement of the secretary. The demand was set aside, and yesterday the men downed their tools. The secretary to the company states that the man had twice previously been warned for neglect of his duties. The company offered to re-employ him in a slightly less responsible position. The men met at the Trades Hall and endorsed and applauded the officials' action. Mr. Becby, Minister of Labor, is acting as mediator. Last night, accompanied by Mr. A. M. Carmiachael, honorary Minister, he interviewed the union executive for three hours, but no decision was arrived at, and he will meet them again to-day.

THE STRIKE ENDED. Received 13, 9.20 p.m. Sydney, January 13. After negotiations between- the Australian Gaslight Company and the Gas Employees' Union, lasting the, greater part of the day, the gas strike has ended. Through the medium of Mr. G. S. Bceby, Minister for Labor, and Mr. A. M. Carmichael, honorary Minister, a conference of the contending paxties was arranged to discuss the trouble. Mean-, time the strikers will resume work at 10 o'clock to-night. TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT. A RUSH ON LAMPS AND KEROSENE. Received 14, 12.53 a.m. Sydney, January 13. The terms of settlement of the gas strike are that the dismissed man is regarded as suspended from January 2. If found innocent by a committee consisting of three representatives from each side, which meets on Wednesday, Mr. Watson, the ex-Labor leader, acting as chairman, he will be paid his wages from January 2. If found guilty, he will be reinstated in another position where lie could not do damage similar to that alleged against him. The charge is to be definitely one of incompetence on January 1.

Early in the day the gas supply began to show a low pressure, and towards evening it almost ceased. A number of places dependent on it for driving machinery were closed, and newspaper offices were seriously inconvenienced-. The supply for domestic lighting and eookiiiig purposes was practically useless, and there was a great rush to the shops for lamps and kerosene stoves. The hospital and other buildings were lit with candles. There could be no improvement till the strikers resumed duty at 10 o'clock to-night.