THE STRIKE OVER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 273, 10 April 1913, Page 5

THE STRIKE OVER

SYDNEY RAILWAYMEN. . ACCEPT THE ROYAL COMMISSION. ALL PARTIES SATISFIED. By Cable—Press Received 9, 9 p.m. Sydney, April 9. The railway strike is over. The men accepted the Government's Royal Commission, with some modification and the provision that there should be no victimisation. They will resume work (forthwith. The mass meeting which carried the acceptance of the Royal Commission lasted three hours. After conferring with Mr. Carmichae) and obtaining certain modifications of the terms of the Commission, Mr. Catts, the secretary of the Railwaymcn's Union, and several members of the Labor Council addressed the meeting, strongly advocating the adoption and carrying of the resolution accepting the amended terms. This was done. An enthusiastic demonstration followed. The modifications which turned the scale were that the conditions of labor about the railway goods-shed should be dealt with prior to the subjects covered in the order of reference of the Commission, and that there should be no victimisation. All parties are gratified with the settlement. The men's leaders claim that the railwaymen demonstrated their unity, solidarity and strength, and impressed the public with their grievances. They obtained from the Government con- ( stitutional means for the ventilating and j remedying of their grievances, which I were denied by the Arbitration Court. Out of 700 strikers there were only half-a-dozen defections. Others state that there were signs of wavering among a number of strikers, who would have resumed duty in the morning, and, failing acceptance of the Commission, the strike would have broken down. The men will resume on regular shifts, but it will be Friday before the goods service is properly restored. The terms of the Commission covers enquiry into and operation and effect of the industrial awards upon the whole' 1 rail- ■ way service, and provides that in the event of the conviction of an employee by the Arbitration Court for striking' such conviction should not justify dis- I missal. I

BARRIER STRIKE. POSITION MORE ACCENTUATED. CITIZENS' URGENT REQUEST.' • Received 10, 12.20 a.m. Sydney, April 9. The Barrier strike position has become more accentuated. The South mine has closed, and 1000 men are idle, making 1000 miners idle altogether, besides a considerable number of men in connection with the smelting works at Port Pirie. The Citizens' Committee has decided to make a renewed urgent request to Mr. McGowen to take over and run the Silverton trams. THE INNOCENT PENALISED. Sydney, April 9. At a meeting of employers in Sydney a suggestion was made that ten per cent, of the employees should be dismissed, to compensate for the shrinkage of business caused by the railway strike. The matter was deferred for a few days in the hope of a settlement, but it is reported that the suggestion will be adopted shortly if the struggle continues, A number of general warehouses have given their storemen a week's notice. The strike has played havoc with the wholesale trade.

THE LATEST UNREST. POLICE RESTIVE. RESUMPTION FAVORED BY A SECTION. Sydney, April 0. The latest phase of the industrial unrest is that the police have grievances, and that discontent lias been prevalent in the metropolitan force for months over the stoppage; of alternate Sunday leave, chiefly, owing to the labor troubles. A scheme is on foot to form an association with a view to concerted action to obtain redress for grievances, shorter hours and increased pay. The striking shunters have called out all shunters in the metropolitan area. A duplicate strike committee has been appointed to replace the present one. in the event of the latter being put in gaol. It has been decided also that if the duplicate committee is arrested another set will be appointed. The Railway Workers and General Laborers' Union, to which the strikers at the coal staging belong, favors a re-

sumption of work. The executive of that union passed a resolution to the effect that the Wages Board system should be remodelled, and the chairman allowed to sit on more than one board. All awards should be retrospective from the date of filing the claims, since the undue delay in reaching finality was the cause of the present unrest in New South Wales, and tended to bring arbitration into disfavor with the workers. Mr. Carmiehael states that a Royal Commission will still he appointed, there being many industrial matters requiring enquiry. -——. ,„„.,.,

FAB-REACIIIXG EFFECT. $; T , , ~ . April 9. . J' 1 " double M Roitth Wales has arnf - tfl '" dissatisfaction prevalent °-<ig sections of tile Victorian railway employees-, ff the New South Wales authorities employ non-unionists a serious position will be created, because the Victorian railwaymcn will be instructed | to refuse to handle black goods.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LOSSES. ' Adelaide, April !). The Government has already lost several thousands owing to the interference with goods traffic between Port Piri and Broken Hill, chiefly ore and coal. Broken Hill is becoming daily shorter. A NEUTRAL SECTION. Sydney, April 0. The executive of the Labor Council was informed that Mr. Johnson bad extended the time for the resumption of work from 9 o'clock this morning to 2 this afternoon, with a view to enabling the executive to influence to-day's meet- ' ing of strikers. Mr. Johnson denies the extension of time.

It is reported authoritatively that, as the result of the meeting of the council of the railway and tramway unions, the locomotive drivers, passenger guards and porters will continue to work. The secretary of the Trolly, Draymen and Carters' Union recommends members to remain neutral. He considers it would be sheer madness to join the strike, and that it would be a big proposition to get members to agree to this view. SOUTHERN COAL STRIKE. Sydney, April 9. There is nothing fresh in connection with the southern mining strike. The proprietors refuse to make any advance until the men have resumed. The dead- I lock therefore remains.