THE SYDNEY STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1917, Page 4

THE SYDNEY STRIKE

STRICT CENSORSHIP OF NEWS. PBIVATE ADVICES' INDICATE SERIOUS TROUBLE. THE GOVERNMENT' FIRM. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last .Night, The Australian censors have evidently refused to allow any cables relating to the Sydney strike to paefi since' Tuesday last. A message of enquiry to the Press Association's office produced no response and, apparently, was not delivered. Private advices say that never was the outlook in any striko so ominous. The movement has altogether a semi-re-volutionary aspect, and the, Government and people are accepting' it, iPreparationa have been made very quietly, but very thoroughly. For once the community is in dead earnest, and ready-to back extreme action. The writer bints at force being used, if necessary. Extracts from Sydney papers stato that during Tuesday; after, stoppage ot the regular 90 services, sixty trains were operating. The improved service of country and suburban trains has also been maintained by the aid of efficient Workmen who remained loyal. No trams ran after nightfall,' not for la.fk of men, but ' because the Commissioner considered it advisable to discontinue after dark. A large number of railway and tram men who had struck went baok to work. The Government renewed the offeP of adequate protection and reward for workers who remained loyal, or volunteered to koep the, services going, and' many offers of assistance were received;- The Government's offer of immediate investigation and redress of real grievances remains good.

The Strikers' Defence Committee, in detailing the objections to the card system, said there were other systems used privately which would not be objectionable. As the result of the strike it is reported that country centres and colliery districts were particularly depressed, owing to the threatened stoppage of a considerable portion of tiie coal trade. Wednesday's- happenings showed improved railway and,train services, 180 trams bfcing in use, while 62 trains ran mostly for morning a ndx eVening' business, the normal average foy which is 9-1 trains, and as the Kail way Commissioners' organisation was good the Services were expected to show an'improvev ment on succeeding days. ' The strikers . held demonstrations in the city, but steps were taken to prevent interference with the loyal men running the trams and railways. The union has called on the big industrial organisations for support, and. the letter, after long meetings, sent, delegates to the Government asking' for an, immediate enquiry and the withdrawal-of the card system. To this the Government unhesitatingly declined "to agre*. The position on Thursday afternoon, however, indicated that the outlook, Wad growing more serious, as. fully 15,000 men were on strike, and only isolated trams and trains running. Though these were called "scab," they were rushed, bj people anxious to reach their destinations. The watersiders ,and -slaughtermpn were discussing the question whether to come out also..

Mr. C. 11. Ensor, a Canterbury sheep farmer, who lias just returned from Sydney, declares'that an ugly feeing prevails, and there is going to be trouble, but the New South Wales GovetAment is going to be firm, though he was afraid the same could not be said cff the Queensland Government, if the trouble should spread there. Queensland shewing was at a standstill, and othei troubles seemed likely 'there, "Reverting to the Sydney strike, Mr. EnsOr sfcid that both sides seemed very, determined The public were up against the strikers In fact, he had never 'known a strike in which popular opinion was so strong against the strikers. No riotirjg had occurred, but he would not be surprise' if considerable trouble occurred befa the strike ended.

THE TROUBLE GROWING. FUEL ECONOMY. deceived Aug. 13 10 p.m. Sydney, Aug. 13 Lighting, heating and cooking restrto, tions, as existing during'the recent.eoai strike, are being enforced in order tc economise fuel. Ship painters and dock' ers struck to-day. Fremantle, Aug. 13 The wharfies and lumpers refused to handle export flour for. Singapore am) Dutch ports. Foreign loading has been suspended.

THIRTY THOUSAND MEN. RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY WORKERS.

The following figures,'.iaken from the Sydney Sun, show the number of liter who will be affected in the. event of s general cessation 'of work in the railway and tramway ?■ Amalgamated Railway and Tram way Service Association .... 11,50! Tramway Union 0,00? Locomotive : ©rivers, c / Kreinen and Cleaners' Union • B,OOC Amalgamated- Engineers -....., 2,COt Amalgamated Carpenters.,..,.... ' 3,'OW Fcedrated Ironworkers .■ I,OOC Coaclunakora' ■ Union ~ ,j,. ....60C Moulders :j , Mty Federated Enginedrivers m lot | Sheet Metal Workers 3i | Total 28,45 C , Other unions will be affected, and th( | total will be approximately 30,000. Th( figures given are not the membership o: the unions, but of those members en* ployed in Government workshops aw depots.