Sydney Strikes

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 272, 9 April 1913, Page 5

Sydney Strikes

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS. k ROYAL COMMISSION AGAIN •REJECTED. MEN ALIENATING SYMPATHY. OFFICAL UKASE. By Cable—Press Association—'Copyright. Received 8, 8.30 p.m. Sydney, April S. Though there is no serious extension of the strike so far, several significant developments have taken place. Sixty fuelmen employed in supplying engine-tenders with coal at Eveligh struck, and the place was picketed. The first gang of 20 left without explanation, and two other gangs arriving later did not start. Two men only remained working, but they were unable to keep up the supply for the engines, which are piling up in the yards. The full effect of the development will not be felt till to-morrow, as most of the engines on the night runs have their tenders well coaled.

Another mass meeting of the Railwaymen's Association was held to-day. Mr. Catts, secretary of the Association, strongly urged the men to accept the Government's offer, which, by his effort, was kept open till noon. He declared that the strikers had compelled the Government to grant them a tribunal exceeding in power any previously available under industrial legislation. Amid much excitement, a show of hands was taken, resulting in the Government's offer again being rejected. Catts demanded a ballot, and this resulted similarly. Catts thereupon intimated that he would not attend any future meetings in connection with the strike, but would be with them in spirit. He then left the meeting. During the day the Railway Commissioner issued a notification that unless the Darling Harbor goods porters resume before 9 o'clock to-morrow morning they v. ill not be eligible for re-employmcnt.

POSITION UNCHANGED. EMPLOYERS' OUTCRY. STATEMENT BY MR. McGOWEN. GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. Received 8, 9.10 p.m. Sydney, April 8. A meeting of platform porters at the Central Station adopted the executive's recommendation to handle only milk and newspapers. All other goods were left in the vans. Outward parcels were placed aboard by consignors. At Darling Harbor yards twelve shunters and others remained loyal yesterday, and were engaged in getting away a few trucks of goods, but to-day, after a protest by some guards, confined their work to side-tracking arriving trucks, wherewith the yards were packed. The consignees themselves are doing the- unloading. Yesterday's meeting of the employers adopted a resolution that in view of the general dislocation of industrial affairs through continuous strikes, the Ministry, as responsible for the welfare of the community, take steps, without regard for either side, to compel immediate compliance with the law as it stands on the Statute Books of the country.

The president of the Employers' Fed-1 eration pointed out that there had been nine strikes in 3*2 days. As employers they had cheerfully submitted to the principle of arbitration, but the spirit of equity was not shown by the employees. The patience and tolerance of the Government and the whole community was exhausted, and the Government should exhaust every reasonable means for industrial peace. It looked, however, as if the more coaxing and pandering the men got, the more they looked 1 upon such proceedings as a sign of weakness. The Government must be fair to the public, which was suffering at the hands of a few men. He asked that the Government cease trying to please the men. Sir William MacMillan stated that the arbitration laws were forced on the country by a class which was represented by the Government. The employers, for the sake of peace, agreed to these laws. The Government made laws which made men criminals if they struck. He urged upon the Government the necessity for showing firm action towards the law-breakers. Mr. McGowen (the Premier), defended the Arbitration Act. Though it had not done what he and other advocates expected, thousands were reaping its benefits. As a Government it would not sit in judgment on the present difficulty, but it would hold the scales of justice fairly. The Government had not exhausted every means to get the strikers to return. The strike would have been settled yester-eve if the Government had foregone its right to prosecute the strikers.' It was evident that employers thought the Government regarded the one side more than the other. If that was the opinion of the country, tlicy ought never to he Ministers again. It' the Government failed in its efforts to secure peace, it would have to proceed according to the laws of the country.

HOSTILITY TOWARDS CATTS. SHORT ACE OF SUPPLIES. PERISHABLE PRODUCE WASTING. MILLERS PERTURBED. Received S, 10 p.m. Sydney, April 8. A feature of to-day's meeting was the hostility towards Catts. It is alleged that the men have become suspicious of his motives, charging him with acting on account of personal motives, rather than in the interests of the men. ' Dairy produce and firewood sales are practically suspended, and though large quantities are standing in truck and are in transit, little is available. At some stations, the held-np /roods / include truckloads of decaying vegetables

and rabbits, making their presence offensively evident. Prices so far are little affected, but there is some excitement on the wheat market. Millers are unable to take delivery of grain, and are prepared to give higher prices in order to keep the mills going till the trouble is over, but local supplies are not large, and holders are disinclined to sell.

Storekeepers in country towns are arranging for supplies per steamer and teams.

Mr. McGowen, owing to the strike, has cancelled his proposed visit to Albury to-morrow.

ENGINES SHORT OF COAL. PASSENGER TRAFFIC DISORGANISED. CRISIS APPROACHING. Received 9, 12.10 a.m. Sydney, April 9. The action of the fuel men is already severely felt. Many engines have run short of coal and are unable to continue running. The passenger traffic at the Central Station is badly disorganised. Engine-drivers and stokers have refused to handle the fuel, and as the envpty engines arrived they were put, out of commission. Crowds returning from business found numbers of trains cancelled or greatly delayed, notices to this effect being posted. Rumors current that the whole service was stopped caused a great rush for trams.

There is every indication that the crisis will be reached to-morrow. Unless some method is evolved of replenishing the fuel, the engines of the whole service must stop.

llanv wild rumors are current regarding the extension of the strike, and the men are holding continuous meetings. The decisions, if any, have not been divulged. Heavy rain is interfering with the news from other strike centres. BOTH SIDES FIRM. GOVERNMENT'S OFFER FIRM. Sydney, April S. At the conference between the Government and the representatives of the strikers, five of the conditions attached by the men to the acceptance of the Government's offer of a Royal Commission were agreed to with slight modification, but the Government definitely rejected the two conditions that no prosecutions should be instituted arid that the finding of the commission should be retrospective from the date of resumption. Mr. Johnson, Chief Commissioner of Railways, declined absolutely to agree to the award being retrospective. The men's representations suggested that the Government should assume the responsibility of making the award retrospecand reimburse the Railway Commissioner from the consolidated revenue; but the Government refused to do so. The Government's rejection of the conditions relating to prosecutions and the retrospective award proved the stumbling block in the way of a settlement of the railway trouble. When the men's representatives returned and announced this rejection to the mass meeting, considerable feeling was shown. One of the men's representatives said that Mr. Johnson would issue an ultimatum to-day. inviting every man back, any anyone refusing would lose all his privileges and even his billet.

One striker, in a speech. said the! had seen the Royal Commission in connection with the Newcastle strike aml nothing came of it. Tlmv had seen the. southern miners' Royal Commission, and after six months the men had no alternative but to strike. They had also seen the Royal Commission oil British railways. regarding which an English member told them that the men had not gained five per cent. Royal Commissions were a failure as far as the workers were concerned. The majority, on a show of hands, was so large against the Government's proposals that 110 division was called for. The men decided to mwt to-da". Tt is stated that it is probible the strike will spread to the whole of New South Wales, so far as the good traffic is concerned. Great enthusiasm was displayed throughout the meeting. The strikers declare they do not desire to interfere with the passenger traffic, or inconvenience the public, but the guards and shunters are only awaiting the word to come out.

STEPS TO RESTORE TRAFFIC. j A TRIAL OF ENDURANCE. Sydney, April 8. Mr. Carmichael, Minister for Labor, interviewed, said: "'We went to the furthest limit in order to assist the men. Mr. Johnston, in deference to our wishes, had not proceeded to (ill the strikers'' places, but to-day he proposes to take steps to restore traffic." Mr.'Carmichael added, "Mr. Johnson is in the same position as any other employer, so far as the Government is concerned, and the Government iias no control over him in this direction." Mr. Catts, the general secretary of the strikers' union, remarked, "The public will now see who can last the longest. Although the Government's proposals did not go so far as the ought to have done, I advised the men to accept them, but they declined." FINANCIAL AID OFFERING.

Melbourne, April S. JJie Victorian "Railways Union offered I faiHV -ial 11 )<I. -Mr. falls replied lliat if tile dispute was settled shortly. 110 help would be required. THE .MIXERS' SIT,IKK. NO PROSPECT OF SETTLEMENT. KAIL WAY 81-JARD AWARD. Sydney, April S. The executive of the Northern Colliery Employees' Federation, in reply to the proprietors' proposals regarding Lambtou I? and Stoekdale Borehole pits, says they are quite prepared to accept a tribunal comprising representatives of each side and an independent chairman, and to allow the resumption of work to be simultaneous with the opening of proceedings before the board, on the understanding that Hie awards shall be retrospective from the time of resumption of work, but tlicy will not agree to any method of settlement which does not give the federation equal rights with the proprietors. They refuse to take a ballot, on the ground that thev know the minds of the men sufficiently to enable them to answer for them. The fourth week of the south const miners' strike has begun, with 110 prospect of a settlement. Dissatisfaction Is ■felt at Bulli at the non-holding of the

conference which Mi". Carmichacl convened for Friday. ]t is reported that the Bulli men have decided that if Mr. Carmichael gives a second invitation they will send a delegate on their own account to interview him. The ultimatum of the proprietors had a depressing effect at Bulli. Discontent is being manifested by the milk and ice carters in Sydney, but no particulars are forthcoming regarding the reason.

The award of the Railway Traffic Board will he pnblished in a day or two. It is believed it gives porters 8s to commence with, 8s 6d a'fteT twelve months, and 9s after two years. It is anticipated that these increases will make a difference in the strike situation.