AUSTRALIAN STRIKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15269, 5 April 1913, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN STRIKES.

Railway trouble orowing. SHUNTERS CEASE WQ&K. ■ SYDNEY GOODS SHEDS '.''-' FURTkER STOPPAGES FEAEED. : INDUSTRY PARALYSED. Bjr Telegraph.— Press Association.—Copyright (Beoelvcd 4, 9-65 P-m.) •' i - : ' ' Sydney, April 4. Tarns is no sign of a sfettlcment of the lailway porters' stri'no at the Darling Harbour Yards, On the contrary, the trouble is spreading. The shunters at the Darling Harbour Yards resolved to-day to cease work.- The shunters at the Sydney, Alexandria, aitd Clyde Yards have likewise decided to cease work, but in order to avoid Hncon venioncing the public as far as possible, they have decided to continue to work the passenger trains. The president of the Council of Railways and Tramway Unions of New JSoutli Wales has convened a meeting 'of the council to consider the position, but no date has yet been'fixed. A mass meeting of the nun Unanimously rejected Mr. Carmichael's proposals, which-had tho Kailway Commissioners; sanction, that they retum to work pending a reference to a special Wages Board. Strike Spreads to Sydney.

The strike has extended;to the Sydney goods sheds, mid 50 weighbridge clerks, daseers, and sheetora have vacated their It is-reported_ that the shunters : aro on the verge ;of coming out, and that it has also been decided to call out the employees ui the Alexandria Yards. This would completely cripple' Sydney's goods traffic. ■:...'...■■ :■■ ,/ >.••'..;.• - ■.' The railway clerks have, decided to cease work if asked to do strikers' duties. The Newcastle men have been asked to jdn. The object of gaining their support is to prevent goods being conveyed by sea to Newcastle, and thence forwarded to the north and westby rail ; v' It is understood, that the strikers have no present intention of seeking, an extension of the trouble to traffic* but \ the men - made no secret of the fact that if they aare in difficulties' the guards may cease. ' *

Goods Traffic Hung Up. The Trolly and Draymen's Union has been asked ' for its support by refusing to cart*; goods -to and from the railway yards. The dispatch of goods to country stations is at a 'standstill. Immense quantities aro standing ;in .trucks and piled in sheds, without 'protection frowt the weathorv it being impossible for the covers to be put on owing to the sheeters having joined: the strike. .* ■.■-:. The dislocation, of, city; business is spread arid serious. ItUs also feared that unless ah,early settlement is effected many country towns will ibe placed in ah unenviable pa»"tion;:owing[to; want o| supplies. The city fruit"/.and vegetable. supply is threatened,'."■■;. and"'• y. : ...•■ trade jeopardised > "There is a possibility ? of many;, employees being scudcred idle owing tothe wah^qf/;'wheatjsapp^s^^lrom'--.the country. '.''.-'. • The Minister for .Baflways has asked ike commissioner to meet, the" wishes of the ;"men ;■_ iii : f .'eyery A ;way pesfciblev -The-.com- j I missionec.'objects to the award of the proSj.o&ed' Wages being made retrospeei tiye- This is one of; the stumbling, blocks lit the way of" settlement. :• . stationary eagmedrivera, cranedrivers., have announced/ their intention of joining the / strike unless Mb bearing of theit grievances by the Wages Boerd ; is expedited. ' , _ , . -"* ■-''.The secretary of'the Federated Engiaodrivers and Firemen's. Union has communicated with -the JJepartment, requesting that in view; of the delay in the hearing of the men's grievances, the ipa belaid inamediateiy the rates for in the cnginddriviers' award, maxfe.oii March 26,