MEN COME OUT AT MIDNIGHT.
A REMARKABLE SCENE. TRAINS LEFT STANDING. RAILWAY TRAPIC PARALYSED. THE GOVERNMENTS PLAN OF ACTION. THE TEMPORARY SERVICE. RISE IN FOOD PRICES. GREAT EXCITEMENT IN MELBOURNE. United Press Association—By Elootrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May 9th, 9.48 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 9. The strike commenced at midnight. Crowds gathered at the principal stations to see the men come out, and feeling at times ran very high, cheers and hooting alternating. As the last trains came in the firemen did not bother about taking the engines to the sheds, but simply drew the fires, turned off steam at the spot they happened to be at when tlie clock struck midnight. The station yards are dotted with engines an most unusual places, and it will require a good many of the Governments loyal drivers to clear the lines for the traffic. Great crowds thronged Collins street during the afternoon, and business is practically at a standstill, the coming strike being tho absorbing topic of discussion. Only those acquainted with Melbourne and its train system can Tealise the seriousness of the situation brought about by the strike. The effect will be felt early. When Government, at 1.30 p.m., refused goods, then the draymen and carriers were forcibly reminded that many of them would be thrown idle by the railwaymen's act. Even the restricted service arranged by the Government is regarded as too optimistic. The utmost difficulty will be found in getting trains through to the country districts. The Government has decided to advertise in every State, and in New Zealand, for men, and! if they are not forthcoming an effort will be made to get men from India, America, and Great Britain. One result of the strike will be an increase in the price of food products. Bullocks went up with a jump to £15. All fruit and fish supplies ore stopped, milk has advanced one penny per quart, chaff ten shillings a ton, butter one penny a pound, and potatoes five shillings a ton.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LX, Issue 11580, 11 May 1903, Page 8
Word Count
333
MEN COME OUT AT MIDNIGHT.
Press, Volume LX, Issue 11580, 11 May 1903, Page 8
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