THE GIPPSLAND COAL STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 109, 8 May 1903, Page 5

THE GIPPSLAND COAL STRIKE.

PROVOCATIVE WOMEN

11,500 INVOLVED

GENERAL SYMPATHY.

■ ■ - MELBOURNE, May 7. A Gazette has been issued summoning Parliament

Each- of'-'the 40 members Of the executive of the" four iihidns has received the notice referred to yesterday. The utmost' secrecy exists amongst the men. The order issued hy the executive that they were hot to talk about the crisis has.been obeyed in a manner which is a revelation of their unity ahd discipline. '' ' ;

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Thursday.

At a meeting of the Trades and Labour Council, it was resolved, "That, in the opinion of this Council, the action of the Victorian Government in their attempt to deprive the Victorian railway servants of their civil liberty is unwarranted and reprehensible, and against the teachings and experience of educated democracy, and the Council urges the railway servants to resist such steps to the utmost in the interest of liberty and true citizenship."

(Received 10;37 a.m.)

MELBOURNE, this day.

The coal strike . at Outtrim and Jumburna has developed a serious aspect, owing to the arrest of six women.on a charge of besetting non-unionists in their houses and - threatening them with Violence. An angry feeling has been aroused amongst the strikers, and may lead to serious results. £750 has been forwarded by the New South Wales Coal miners in aid of the men.

(Received 10.36 a.m.)

SYDNEY, this day.

The Sydney Labour Council passed strong resolutions- expressive of their disgust at the action of the Victorian Government in bringing about an industrial crisis by forcing v the railway men to stand up-for- their rights as men, or to be "shackled like bond-slaves." The Council, which • numbers 40,000, pledged itself to support the men in protesting against the "atrocious treatment meted out to them." • ' '

Mr, O'Sullivan, Minister for Public Works, speaking at , a banquet of the Stonemasons'' Union; ventured the opinion that the trouble would end in favour of the men.' All they asked was freedom; The great heart of the people of Australia sympathised with the men.

(Received 10.37 a.m.)

' day.

The railway men have received a cable* of. symapthy from the- Auckland Labour Council.-

11,482 men are involved in the dis pute.

The combined- funds of the four unions amount;, td '£72,000. A prominent railway officer says there will be no strike. In the everit of members of the executives being dismissed, they will carry the matter to the Appeal Board, and-finally to the Supreme Court.