SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 248, 10 March 1913, Page 5

SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

. A TRIUMPH FOR CONCILIATION. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received i), 5.5 p.m. Sydney, March 9. The gas service has been restored, and there is general gratiiication at the settlement. Mr, McGowen claims that the result is ail absolute triumph for conciliation. RATIFYING THE AGREEMENT. Sydney, March S. After the conference Mr. McGowen announced that an agreement had been reached by mutual consent, and the men would go back to work on Saturday afternoon. He declined to disclose" the terms. From other sources it is gathered that a meeting of strikeis will'he held this morning to ratify the provisional agreement, which the'-A roasoll to believe will prove acceptable to them. At a meeting of gas workers last night satisfaction was expressed at the favorable turn of events. The secretary of the Gasmen's Union stated that the only thing lie could disclose about the conference was that the agreement provided t;iat every man should go back to his old place."

TERMS OF AGREEMENT. CONSIDERING THE PUBLIC. Received 9. 5.5 p.m. Sydney, March 8. The, gasmen's meeting accepted the agreement, which provides that the men resume forthwith, and that the Government will summon a special session of Parliament within twelve days, with a view to amending the Arbitration Act so as; to allow the dispute to be dealt with by the Wages Board. The companies agree to give a retrospective effect to the date of resumption of, work of any excess rates contained in the Board's award. Any increase in the gas rate to operate for a sufficient period to enable the companies to recover the amount expended under the provision for the retrospective effect. All strikers ar, e to he restored to their former positions. There is to be no victimisation of the men by the companies, nor bv the men or the union of the men employed by the companies. The Gasmen's Union secretary states that if they had not had the hospitals and the public in their mind they would have been firmer in their demands.