SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 245, 6 March 1913, Page 5

SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

MOKE INDUSTRIES AFFECTED. PRICE OF WHEAT REDUCED. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, March ">. The secretary of the Gaslight Company hopes to be able to give the city a good supply of gas in a couple of days. The North Shore Company promise a supply for to-morrow, but from present appearances these hopes must be considered too sanguine. The shortage of gas has made idle 800 employees in the tailoring trade, and also many in the printing trade. It is estimated that if the strike continues for a few more days 10,000 workers will be all'ected. The lifts in many warehouses are unworkable, adding to other business disabilities. Owing to the wheat handlers' strike, shippers are not operating, and the market is paralysed. Nominal quotations are reduced to 3s 6'/ 2 d.

LOCALISING TIIE TROUBLE. LABOUR COUNCIL'S MANIFESTO. Sydney, March 5. A manifesto issued by the executive of the Labor Council regrets the action of the gas companies taking advantage of a technical point and refusing to cancel the arrangements made with the employees, knowing full well that a wages board cannot be appointed whilst an agreement exists or until Parliament meets and amends the Industrial Act. The present position was undoubtedly very serious, and would be more so if allowed to extend. They therefore called upon all unionists to refrain from participating in any action in connection frith the trouble in the way of a sympathy strike before consulting the Labor Council. By localising the trouble they would be better able to give effect to labor principles and provide funds for the dependents of the strikers. The North Sydney Council has arranged a temporary system of electricity for the main streets. The number of free laborers being engaged is slowly increasing. The Australian Gaslight Company has secured 150 men.

Mr. McGowen, the Premier, declares tlie strikers' action to he hasty and illadvised, and probably illegal. Arbitration being made the handmaiden of the strike, he would be compelled to intervene. He was determined to see the interests of the community protected.

WHAT MELBOURNE GAS-WORKERS THIXK Melbourne, March 5. A meeting of gas workers carried resolutions expressing the utmost contempt at the puerile and splenetic action of the misnamed Labor Ministry in Xew South Wales in requesting the public to scab on gas employees, and hoping that this unparalleled treachery would meet its just reward at the next t election?.

WIGS <JX THE GREEX. A RIOTOUS MEETIXG. COX FUSION" AND UPROAR. Received 3, !).30 p.m. Sydney. March 5. The meeting called by the Lord Mayor at the Town Hull to give the citizens an opportunity of expressing an opinion to the strike, was very largely attended. It proved lively and exciting, almost ending in a riot. The Lord Mayor attended, and on the platform were many prominent citizens and Sub-Inspector Coulter, of the police force. Other police were scattered inside and outside the building. It was soon evident that the strikers and their supporters were present in force, and that they intended to take a hand.

The Lord Mayor's appearance was the signal for a groat demonstration, those in sympathy with (lie object of the meeting cheering heartily, while a strong section hooted lustily. .After appealing for fair play and trying for >OlllO time to got a hearing, the Lord Mayor warned interrupters that tinier they stopped their tactics tliev v.ould be removed. Amid-t continued interruptions and counter demon-! rations, the workmen marched to the ;-I:itform, and presented the Lord with a large shovel

itli « rci|!U'-. in lake ii. to the gas works ami do -onie stoking. I hi' Lord Mayor, addressing the rowdy section, declared that they had ;i prel ty poor cause if they could not hear the other side. "All we are here to-day for." lie said, "is to say whether a few men. by an act of insubordination, can tie up thi' common services and leave our homes in darkness. v At tins point l!n' hostility was so dernoii-lrative ilia! the Lord .Mayor ordered one of the disturbers to be ejected. A wild scene of disorder followed when a policeman attempted to carry out the order. The man's com-, lados crowded round him. and a violent struggle endued. .More police pushed through and were roughly hustled. They were compelled to draw their batons, and eventually several men were ejected. While the tussle was in proin the hall there was commotion in the audience, which was greatly excited. Meantime strong police reinforcements arrived. When order was restored, the Lord Mayor, continuing, said that In* was sorry for the disturbance, but it was not their fault. "In this movement," he said, "we are backed up by the employees themselves, and the whole of the representative men of the city. These men are going to support you in any wis° movement taken to remove existing disabilities." Attempts made to interrupt the speakers following the Lord Mayor were summarily suppressed by the police, and several more interjections were removed.

A resolution moved bv the president of the Chamber of Commerce, and seconded by the president, of the Employers' Federation, expressing alarm at the action of the gas men in plu:;;. : ng the city and suburbs into darkness, opping industries and causing deprivations to the sick and needy, and asking the Government to take steps to piotect the citizens in any attempt to rest ore I In; daily life and industrial conditions to a normal state, was carried. A second resolution, moved by the president, of the Chamber of Manufacturers, pledging "this great meeting of citizens, representing commerce and industry in all its various phases, to volunteer as a body to assist in restoring to the community its daily light and power." was also carried. The Lord Mayor announced that he had received from the University intimation that sixty undergraduates were available as volunteers, as well as other offers. He added: ''We want gas prepared, and will work for it. We will not accept threepence for the work, but will take the billets of the men and hold them till they come to their senses and return to work."'

ASSAULTING THE POLICE. Received 5, 11.15 p.m. Sydney, March 5. As a sequel to the Town Hall meeting a man was lined ;C5 for assaulting Superintendent Goulder. During the ejectment tussles Superintendent Goulder was knocked down, struck with a chair, and his uniform badly torn. The employees of the Manly Gas Company, to the number of about forty, have joined the strike. VOLUNTEERS PLENTIFUL. Received 0. l-.0.) a.m. Sydney, March 5. At the conclusion of the meeting large numbers enrolled their names as volunteers, to be distributed amongst the various companies. The North Shore Company hopes to continue its supply to-n'orrow, if not permanently. THE LORD MAYOR'Ti RNS TO. Sydney, March 5. From the Town Hall the Lord Mayor proceeded to Kent Street Gas Works. Discarding his frock coat and tall hat. he rigged an old pair of pants and a sweater and did four hours fireman's shift like a workman. Other volunteers imitated him. The retorts are filling steadily, and it is hoped that the city will have gas to-morrow.