THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 2772, 15 May 1903, Page 2

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

The Government, has placed a portion of thi line north of Meibonrne under special protection for the purpose of training drivers and hopes shortly to considerably augment tiio numbers thereby. The strikers' executive has issued a manifesto to the voters of Victoria, setting out that they had submitted to a reduction of wages and deprivation of certain rights rathor than inoouveniecce the public, but now were compelled to rebel against an attempt to take from them liberty of action under the law. A large numbsr of striker.' wives took part In a demonstration at North Melbourne yards, with the object of overawing appli* cants for work. Many of the women were armed with sticks and Btones anc" were much excited It was with diffi ulty they <vere prevent*- from doing perßonal.violenoe,

Miny iofluantial public bodies in the virious States hive adopted resolutions oov dcmning the strike, and sympathising iwit'i th' Gove nmeut. Ther-*< was increased traffic on Wadneaday and nrnny volunteers were giving help to tho State. It U expected the Bignalmen will jjin the strikers, sixteen drivers have returned to work, and the who'e body strike s in one provincial dis'rict an willing to resume work.