THE BREAKDOWN OF THE SER-VICE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11580, 11 May 1903, Page 8

THE BREAKDOWN OF THE SERVICE.

THE STRIKERS ELATED. THE GOVERNMENT STILL CONFIDENT. MR BENT ON THE SITUATION. * __ ' (Received May 9th, 8.24 p.m.) MELBOURNE, iMay 9. 1, The express from Sydney arrived unhour late. It is alleged that the delay was caused owing to the rails on a' steep gradient being greased. Trains are side-tracked all along the country lines, the live stock being token out and the goods left untouched. Excepting in the city and suburbs, the mails have not been delivered, and there is te great block at the General Post Office iff consequence of this. The-telegraphic 0$ fices will be specially open ut certain hours to-morrow (Sunday) for the convenience of the public. The secretary of the Engine Drivers' A *>. Bociation is greatly elated at the break* down of the service. With one or tw«» exceptions the whole of the member* of the Association obeyed the call to conout. A social, commencing} at n_dr_g_t, fo* the purpose of keeping the strikers together, was held at the Trades Hall last night. The programme included addresses by several Federal Labour Senators and members of the State Parliament, wliom sympathies are nvith the men. The Government, though faced with tha fact that their promised service has brokeß down, state that in a £«w days they will easily be able to get enough men to carry out _leir promises and give a fairly effective service. Mr Bent declares ha is cop.« fidenb the Government must and shall win. The sorriest men in the coun.try presently, he Bays, will be the drivers and firemen. Excitement is at fever heat in the city. Police forces are at all the Melbourne stations, and a policeman also accompanies each train; but so far there has been not the least call for their services. >

It is rumoured that there v a possibility of tbe shunters and signolmsen striking. It is also reported that the fitters hava struck, but this needs confirmataoa. ._ •