SYDNEY TRAM STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 177, 25 July 1908, Page 5

SYDNEY TRAM STRIKE.

MEN UNANIMOUS. MODIFIED SERVICE SUNNING. HOSTILE DEMONSTRATIONS. (By Cable.—Press Association Copyright.) (Received 10.15 a.m.) tv ■ , < 'SYDNEY, this day. •Ine pinch of the strike was felt this morning. Though a limited number of trams, each with its police guard, were running to and from all the suburbs, the service was insufficient to meet the big early morning rush. Workers from further suburbs are finding a difficulty in reaching the city. 'Buses and all kinds of vehicles have been pressed into service, and additional railway and ferry facilities have been arranged to cope with the block. A large body of suburban police were drafted into the city in readiness for the resumption of the modified service. Altogether twenty arrests have been made in connection with yesterday's hostile demonstration. The strikers acted with complete unanimity, not a single regular conductor remaining at work. EAUWAYMEK MAY COME OUT. STRIKES AT BROKEN KELL AND NEWCASTLE. SYDNEY, July 24. The streets to-night arc as crowded as on an election -night, with a largo proportion of the rough element mingling with the merely curious. Since this morning the Sydncyite has been indulging in the novelty of walking, for there is no tram service. One or two spasmodic attempts were madte to run cars, but hostile demonstrations made it almost impossible for I the most loyal employee to stick to his post. Five arrests for assault were made durI ing the afternoon, one or two victims being treated at the hospitals. At thp power house 250 men came out in sympathy with thp conductors. The authorities statp that in some instances the cars have been tampered with, and parts removed. Although the Department had no success in tlie work of running tht> trams to-day, it is stated that their arrangements for to-morrow will provide a modified service. A rumour is current that tha railway men may strike in sympathy. In this j case a curious position will he created, I paralysing trailr. The train strike, at the worst, iuilicts inconvenience on individuals living in remote suburbs. A deputation from the Labour Council asked the Premier for an independent board of inquiry into the tramway men's grievances, and also for the reinstatement of Conductor Crouchcr, over whose dismissal tho trouble originated. The Premier refused both requests. He said th~ men had broken the law, and would hay to return to work before the Govern ments intentions became known, or be fore any promises were made. The tramway men at Broken Hill am Newcastle have also struck work. RECONSIDERATION IMFOSSEBU APPLICATIONS FOR STRIKER! POSITION. (Received 10.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The Department claims to have receive! numerous applications to fill the place of the strikers, including application: from other States and New Zea land. The Commissionrrs dpcln.ro that th< men's action made it impossible to recon sider their decision. A conference of tho States" Labou , Party and Labour Council decided agains: an interview with this Premier to impres; him with the prave danger of the troubli extending to other branches of the Gov emmont service as well as outside unions The strike at Newcastle up till las' night was only partial. The service i; a steam one, and the engine-drivers, no ! having received the sanction of tlieij executive, did not come out with thi conductors. Apartial service is bein< maintained. TAMPERING WITH CARS. A TTNION DISCLAIMER. (Received 10.45 n.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The executive officers disclaim for theii men any connection with thp attempt tc tamper with the cars or thn hostile de monstrations, and lay tho blame on the rough element outside. The executive of the Amalgamated Railways and Tramways Association has decided that no member of any othei branch of the Association shall fill the place of the strikers, at the same time deprecating precipitate action at the present time. Rumours of a possibility of an Electrical Trades Union and the Waterside Workers' Unions striking in sympathy, arc circulated. A meeting of the formci lias been called for to-night.