THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1917, Page 2

THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

NEGOTIATIONS FAIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Sept. 29Further advices from Sydney state that, after renewed exhaustive consultations between Mr Holme and: the council of the Miners' Federation, irrespective of consequences, the federation never recommended the acceptance of the Government's proposals to the men, considering that the Government had no desire to effect a settlement, except on conditions the federation considers humilitating and degrading to tha men.

The Government terms provide that the Government continue to work all mines, none of the mines to be treated as black, the Government manager to exercise discretion in the employment of men, but .prior consideration to be given to miners previously employed. The rates of pay and conditions remain as at August 1. , DIARY OF EVENTS. Sydney, Sept. 9—Throughout yesterday the city was in a state of suppressed excitement awaiting the result of the negotiations between Mr. Holmes, who was actina independent of the Government aswlpecial commissioner under the Arbitration Act, and the unions' representatives. Late at night an official announcement. was issued that an agreement for the general resumption of the rail and tramway services had been reached.

The terms provide for the, acceptance of the Government's original terms, that is, under the card system existing at August 1 and at the end of three months ft Rbyal Commission will inquire into the effects of the system and decide if ib should continue. A .proviso is added that, subject to the Chief Railway Commissioners' discretion, preference of employment in future vacancies will he given to ex-railwaymen and tramwaymen. By this proviso the Commissionerg retain the right to continue to employ volunteers if so desiring who came to their assistance. It is mutually; understood, the agreement declares, thai work shall be resumed without resentment and employment offered without vindietiveness. Subsequently the Amalgamated Railway and Tramway Service Association issued a circular stating that the strike had been settled and ordering members to report for duty on Tuesday morning. A big demonstration was held in the Domain to-day. Various speakers impressed that no definite, settlement had yet been reached, though certain proposals had been framed which would be placed before the different unions on the following day. A good deal of feeling is in evidence amongst the members of the other unions involved against the leaders of the rail and tramwaymen for ordering them back.

September 10.—The Herald estimates that 70,000 men are directlv concerned in the strike in New South Wales and the monetary loss to the State will probably bo £1,000,000. At various stages throughout the day, mass mectr ings of strikers were held. At several resolutions of want of confidence in. the leaders were carried and determination to continue the strike was expressed. The Railway and Tramway Service. Association at a gathering rejected the terms of settlement and referred them back to the Defence Committee for further consideration. A huge meeting outside the Trades Ha.ll carried a vote of no-confidence in the strike executive. The iron trades employees' meeting ended in chaos without a decision being reached. The coachmakers. timberworkers, boilermakers, wharf laborers, seamen's unions and gasworkera decided to continue the strike. The Trolley and Draymen's Union resolved not only to continue out but to call out all who were still work-, ing. Oh the other hand the engineers' societies, locomotive drivers, Firemen's Association, blacksmiths and electrical trades and the Moulders' Union decided to act on the Defence Committee's recommendation and ordered their members to resume. The position generally is complicated and there is uncertainty everywhere. Owing to conflicting advice from the Defence Committee and sectional leaders many strikers cannot realise how they really stand. In the Industrial Court Mr. Justice Heydon cancelled the registration of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company's Employees* Union and fined the union £IOO for taking part in and aiding and abetting the strike. September 11.—There is a fresh development in the strike. In accordance with the settlement reached on Saturday huge numbers of rail and tram men reported for service at the various depots this morning and were informed that only a limited number of vacancies could be filled owing to tho shortage of coal, whereas the bulk expected to bo able to resume the'ir jobs immediately. Many also took 'umbrage at the working of the application form for re-employment "at the Commissioners' discretion" and which referred to their having left duty on strike.' Tho dissentients, who included the bulk of the engineers, declared that the form of application was a breach of tho terms of the agreement and that they had been tricked by the leaders. Accompanied -by members of outside unions they marched to the Domain and held a. big demonstration. Speakers denounced tho strike leaders as traitors and resolutions of no-confidence fn the Defence Committee were adopted. Alj together 3470 signed tho objectionable form. Subsequently, after consultation with tho Government, the Chief Railway Commissioner decided to issue a new application form which would contain neither the words ncr the suggestion of the form objected to. It was believed that this would satisfy the latest grievances.

September 12. —Negotiations are proceeding with the coal miners' representatives and the Industrial Commissioner stated that there was good reason to hopo the result would be a resumption of work in the mines. The employees of the North Shore Gas Company have struck, refusing to handle "black" coal. The carters' strike is extending. The trial of the arrested strike leaders, E. J. Kavanagli (a member of the Legislative Council and secretary of the Labor Council), A. C. Willis (secretary of the Coal and Shale Employes' Federation), C. Thompson (secretary of the AmalagamAssociation), and W. Buckley (a member of the Legislative Assembly,, on charges of conspiring to induce persons employed by the Bailway Commissioners to neglect their duties as nublic officers, is proceeding. Bucklev -"'V- charged with seditious utterances -in « onblic place. A large amount ; i.nf-.i.noi.cary evidence lias been Veiling with the preparations for iu.< stril.e and also the anti-conscription, campaign. September 13.—There is little change in the position. Both side's are marking time pending negotiations between Mr. Holmes and, representatives of the coo.i miners. It is jveneraUr recpeniged

that the coal question is the crux of tli» problem.. Tho Government to-day conr siders the suggested repeal of the amend' •ing legislation; giving- power to work mines by free, labor, which: the miners demand' as a preliminary to settlement, ilt is understood that several Ministers' favor the repeal oil an. understanding' from thet miners; that neither loyalist miners nor loyalist mines will be interfered with after tlife resumption. Largely increased supplies are being got from the pits worked, by volunteers. ■Up to Monday BflOS rail and iranT strikers had been re-employed 1 .. Since then over 7000' have signed applications, for re-employment. The total stall's are now only 3876 less than on the day before the strike. The men in some sections are still holding off, pending the officials' instructions. A ballot by the liquor trade employees decided against a strike. The coastal shipping trade is maintained and improved, a few inter-State vessels being got away.

• The Melbourne unionist leaders are awaiting developments in Sydney and meantime discountenance any extension of the "strike. The wharf laborers declare they will not resume till the preference clause in the award isi restored. The carters insist on tho re-employment of all members of the union as * preliminary to "settlement. .

At Adelaide work on the wharves is proceeding as usual. Brisbane. —Food supplies in the northern districts are still short owing tut' the shipping hold-up.