SYDNEY TRAMWAY STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9153, 28 July 1908, Page 5

SYDNEY TRAMWAY STRIKE.

POSITION VERY CRITICAL.

RAILWAY MEN READY TO STRIKE.

Received July 27, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, July 27. It is admitted on all hands that the potion in regard to the tram-way-im-n's strike is very critical, and will need most careful handling, or a general strike may bo precipitated. All sorts of rumours arc current regarding to-day's developments, which are likely to prove momentous, an 1 are anxiously awaited. Th 3 Government's intention to take action under the Industrial Disputes Act ii assumed to mean either that they will agree to the appointing of a tribu al to consider the dispute, or t nit it will be decided to arrest the stiike leaders. The executive of the Railway Enginemen sat all yesterday, and at the conclusion of th-i meeting the secre ■ tary announced that it had been decide] to stand by the striker?, and that whether immediate action wou'd be taken depended upon the reply of the Chief Commissioner of Railways to a request to be made to him this n.orning.

OFFERS OF HELP,

Received July 27, 11.7 a.m. SYDNEY, July 27. Trams are running this morning, and an improved service is promised during the day.v The authorities profess to have no fear of being able to maintain the power supply. They have also'received numerous volunteer otters of help to run the trams. A small service is ma'ntaincd at Newcastle. No attempt has been m:\Cc to resu.na running at Broken Hill. The Coal Lumpers' Union has notified tha KOUthern coal-owncra that they will not resume working till two o'clock today, to enable them to attend the mass meeting which it is stated has been called to deal with some internal trouble, but it is believed it also has a bearing on the tram trouble. The strikers are receiving many messages of support. T.ie Miners' Federation and Wharf Labourers' Union adopted resolutions of sympathy, and promised their support. The Victoria Labour party has also ex;res2el sympathy.

MODERATE SPEECHES

Rec-MVJd July 27, 11.7 a.m. SYDNEY, July 27. '

Tho speeches at the Domain demonstration were moderate in chnracter.'

One speaker declared: "The strike is now in the hands of the Labour Council, with 80,000 unionists behind them,. and they see us through." Another big demonstration was held at Newtown.

It is reported that the' Parliamentary Labour party is opposed to the strike throughout, and unfavourable to its extension.

THE PREMIER FIRM

Received 27, 10.15 p.m. SYDNEY, July 27. Drenching rain ha-;' fallen without Intermission throughout the day. The striken congregated in large force in the Trades Hull, where various committees conferred. The strictest secrecy is preserved, the policy apparently being to mark time and await the result, of the deputa\i>n of Labour members to the Premier.

The deputation saw Mr Wade in the forenoon, and the latter pr mised to give a reply later. In the meantime, and fol' wing up >nthe Cabinet meeting,, applications were made on behalf of the Attorney-General tn prosecute Mr Lawton (President), and Mr Watson (Secretary of tha Tramway Employees' Union) on a charge of instigating the strike, and 26 members of the Union for striking. The applications were granted. Mr Wade again saw the deputation in the afternoon, and reiterated the intention ol the Government to firmly uphold the law. He definitely refused to appoint a tribunal outside the Industrial Dispute Act to deal with the same. The strikers must seek re-instatement, and take advantage of the Act and have their grievances dealt with. If) they returned to work within a reasonable time the proceedings for a penalty in the cases already initiated against them would not be proceeded with.

"FIGHT TO THE FINISH."

Received July 27, 11.55 p.m. ** SYDNEY, July, 27. Mr Lawton states that the prosecutions are expected t) make no difference to the strikers. There are plenty more to fill the vacant places. The men intend to to the finish. A mass meeting of coal lumpers decided to support the strikers morally and financially if called upon. A large number of men were charged at the Police Court this morning with riotous behaviour arising out of the strike demonstrations, and fines from .£1 to £3 were imposed. On the whole the tram men a-e behaving excellently. The authorities were able to provide an improved service to-day. The number of cars running have been considerably increased, and have been better patronised. Rain is compelling many people to use the cars who previously from sympathy with the strikers and other motives refrained from doing so. It i 3 officially stated that hundreds of applications for work have been received, including some of the .strikers.