PUBLIC ADMIRATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20274, 17 August 1937, Page 7

PUBLIC ADMIRATION.

DISCIPLINE OF THE STRIKERS. WORK OF EMERGENCY - STAFF. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. MELBOURNE, August 16. The strikers at the Melbourne gasworks are preserving self-imposed discipline which is evoking public admiration. A man may not go to the gates to embrace his wife and children or to accept delivery of a hot dinner or a clean shirt without obtaining the permission of a member of the committee. There was no gas whatever in some suburban homes yesterday, and to-day only a pale, weak flame was allowed for two hours for the preparation of breakfasts. No attempt is being made by the strikers to molest or to hamper the emergency staff who are generating a very small supply of gas under trying conditions. The strike is most embarrassing to the State Government, which, although it has power to force the hands of the companies and make them maintain adequate supplies or pay punitive fines, is aware of political reasons in the way of proclaiming a gas emergency. The Premier, Mr A. A. Dunstan, who is at the mercy of the Labour Party for his majority, is quite unable to take drastic action to relieve the situation. WAGES AGREEMENT ENDORSED. FIRST ROUND OF THE FIGHT. THE COALMINING INDUSTRY. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received August 17, 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 17. Combined meetings of miners’ lodges In the Newcastle and Maitland districts endorsed the new wages agreement reached last week. The meetings decided that all committees established during the campaign would be retained to carry out an agitation for the remaining points of the log. The recent negotiations were referred to by speakers as “ the first round of the fight.*’