VICTORIAN RAILWAY STRIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12267, 11 May 1903, Page 5

VICTORIAN RAILWAY STRIKE.

SCENES AT RAILWAY STATIONS.

THE MEN LEAVE WORK-

EXCITED CROWDS.

RISE IN FOOD PRICES.

TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS

FAIL.

ACCIDENTS ON THE LINE.

TRAMWAY ENGINEERS TO JOIN THE STRIKE.

A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

GOVERNMENT MUST AND

SHALL WIN.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—

Melbourne, May 9. Tub strike commenced at midnight. Crowds gathered at the principal railway stations to see the men come out. Feeling at times ran high, cheers and. hooting alternating.

As the last trains came, in the drivers and firemen did not bother about taking the engines to the sheds, but simply drew the fires, and turned off steam at whatever spot they happened to be when the clock struck midnight. The station yards are dotted with engines in most unusual places. It will require a good many Government loyal drivers to clear the lines for traffic.

Great crowds thronged Collins-street during this afternoon, and business was practically at a standstill, the strike being the absorbing topic of conversation.

Many of the executive, officers of the union are entitled to compensation ranging from £200 to £565, or pensions from £52 to £113.

Both Mr. Irvine and Mr. Bent were greeted with hooting and counter cheers on appearing in the street.

The secretary of the enginemen is confident of success. He says that there is no chance of the Department instituting a service of any value to the public. Men who are not used to the roads cannot run the engines without endangering human life. Besides, the engines get in a disgraceful condition in the hands of inexperienced men, and will fail to do their work.

Only those acquainted with Melbourne and its train system can realise the seriousness of the situation brought about by the strike. Its effect was felt early, when the Government at half-past one p.m. refused to receive goods. Then, draymen and carriers were forcibly reminded that many of them would be thrown idle by the railway men's act. Even the restricted service arranged by the Government is regarded as too optimistic. The utmost difficulty will be found in getting the trains through to country districts.

The Government decided to advertise in every State and in New Zealand for men, and if they are nob forthcoming an effort will be made to get men from India, America, and Britain.

One result of the strike has been to increase the price of food products. Bullocks went up with a jump to £15. All fruit and fish supplies are stopped. Milk has advanced Id per quart, chaff 10s per ton, butter Id per lb, and potatoes 5s per cwt.

COUNTRY . SERVICE CANCELLED. (Received May 9. 6.6 p.m.)

Melbourne, May 9.

Early to-day it was found impossible to cany out even the partial time-table arranged yesterday, .owing to there not being enough drivers and firemen. A number of those who were expected failed to turn up.

Large crowds gathered at the Spencerstreet and other stations to watch the despatch of trains, including many of the strikers, who used efforts to induce those who had taken their places to join them. Beyond this and a little hooting, proceedings were quiet and orderly. It was close upon eight o'clock before the first suburban train was got away, and very few were despatched up to noon.

The country service- was cancelled, and the sale of tickets stopped early in the morning.

The usual mail train to Sydney was among those stopped.

TRAMS AND 'BUSES RUSHED.

ACCIDENTS ON THE LINE,

TRAFFIC BLOCKED. (Received May 9, 7.48 p.m.).

Melbourne, May 9.

The scene in the city this morning was an extraordinary one. The travelling public, early realising that the temporary service was a failure, rushed the trams and 'buses, which put forth all their available resources, while all descriptions of vehicles were eagerly pressed into the service. Bicyclists turned out in great force, but many thousands perforce had to be content with walking.

From Princes-street station the only service to Camberwell was attempted, and even that was too great a strain, Three trains were sent out early in the morning. The first went through all right, the second had not moved 10yds when it broke down, and only one had returned up to ten o'clock. A similar state of affairs prevailed in Flinders-street. Altogether lip to ten o'clock only six suburban trains were despatched. Just as one was starting an accident happened to the gauge. The volunteer driver and fireman jumped off, and luckily nothing serious resulted, but they were relieved of further duty.

The Westinghouse brakes not being used, (he majority of the trains arfe considered unsafe with volunteer drivers.

One of the early trains was just ready to start from Spencer-street, but when the guard blew the whistle the driver took up his coat and stepped off the footboard.

Two accidents have been reported so far. A train being taken out by a retired driver for Port Melbourne ran off the line owing, it is alleged, to the" signals not operating properly. The traffic was blocked all the morning.

The second accident was more serious. A goods train from Benalla to Melbourne was derailed at Avenel. Several trucks and engine are lying across the track. There is great damage to the rolling stock and permanent way, and it has been found impossible to clear the line.

Crowds of strikers and sympathisers gathered at all the stations.

It is reported that the engineers in the tramway power-houses have decided to join the strike.