THE VICTORIAN RAILWAYS

Otago Witness, Issue 2561, 6 May 1903, Page 28

THE VICTORIAN RAILWAYS

DRASTIC GOVERNMENT ACTION. THE GOVERNMENT'S ULTIMATUM. PROSPECTS OF A SETTLEMENT. NO DECISION BY THE CABINET. MELBOURNE, April 29. The Railway Commissioners, after an interview with the executive officers of the railway societies, which declined to withdraw from affiliation with the Trades Hall, informed them that an order would be issued requiring them within three days to pever their connection with the Trades Hall or resign their positions as executive officers of the societies. There is great excitement amongst the men, who are holding meetings to discuss the situation. The Minister of Railways tc-day emphasised his determination to enforce obedience of Government orders. It would be a fine thing, he said, if they were to have the running of trains and building of locomotives interfered with by a body like the Trades Hall. Everything had been arranged to punish the men's disobedience. I'ne only alternative to severing connection with the Trades Hall was the " sack." April 30. The railway men have till Friday to reply to the Government's ultimatum. Meantime they are holding meetings and obtaining legal advice before coming to a decision. A rumour is current that in the event of a strike the Newcastle coal miners have arranged not to hew coal for the Victorian railways. It is also stated that substantial assistavice has been promised by the English inter-State railway men's unions. Matters iv connection with the railway men's trouble are unchanged. The men have held several meetinas, hut observe the strictest reticence. It will probably be Saturday morning before their decision is known. Much uneasiness is felt in all the States at the possibility of the railways being thrown idle. May 1. Despite the secrecy of the railway men's meetings, it is> alleged that it is morally certain they will refuse to comply with the Government ultimatum. Another statement is that the men will suggest that the Commissioner, instead of dealing with the whole of the executive offioers of the society, only dismiss one, and that he be treated as a test case.

The members of the railway societies have been notified that a levy will he made next pay day. This is probably intended only to meet legal expenses.

An ominous sign is that the Government have notified a number of pensioned engine-drivers to hold themselves in readiness for duty.

The iiabour Council has adopted a motion sympathising with the Victorian railway men, and urging them not to back down.

The executive officers, of the Locomotive Engine-drivers and l'iremen's Association this afternoon, after a protracted consideration, obtained legal advice, and forwarded a letter to the Railway Commissioners in reply to the order to sever their connection with the Trades Hall or resign from the association. The letter say.s ; "As officers of the association, we have no power to comply with the demand to sever the connection with the Trades Hall. It is for the association, not for its executive officers, to decide whether any delegate shall be sent to the Trades Hall Council. What you a-k us to do is impossible." The letter trc^s on: "As far as the second

.ilternatr. a i« concerned, it rare-, the question of our right as free men to dispose of our time when off duty. If we are under obligation to resign our positions in the association because you tell us to, we shall have to roign our offices in any benefit lodge or other bodies at your bidding. The Government has de-

prived u a of our political privilege?. We deny you have the right to deprive u<= of our civil privileges. . We are ready and willing to obey all your laivful orders and all your lawful regulations. 'Ihe question ultimately resohes itfelf into this : Have we b}' refu^ins to resign a.s members of ihe executive of this at^oci«ition under the ciicum>tance-; infringed tiny lawful regulation or order r " Unless the Government back- down, of which at present there i= no sign, a railway lockout appears to be inevitable. The executive officer^, of the Dally P.-n 1 Employees' Association hare al c o replied absolutely declining to comply with the Commissioner- ultimatum, which they declare is illegal and arbitrary. They deny auy power to be re-fed in the Commissioners to interfere in their ordinary civic or political rigLtr. after working hours, and the regulation of dutie Ito he performed i* described as a tyrannical attempt to deprive them of the rights of free citizenship in a free country. There is much excitement in the city. At tLe May Day prcc^ion to-day ICO

txuemployed, headed by Tom Mann, marched through the streets. Resolutions were carried urging the railway men to stick to their guns, and calling on the Trades Hall Council to declare a general strike of all workers.

The third railway society have replied to the Commissioners stating that their executive officers refuse to obey the Commissioners' orders and resign from the Trades Hall.

The Cabinet held a lengthy meeting, and discussed the situation. Seen afterwards, the Premier refused to say anything beyond that the reply of the fourth society was due on Monday, when the Cabinet would again meet and decide upon a course of action.

Some of the Ministers express great disappointment at the lack of sympathy shown the Government, public opinion favouring the men.

It is rumoured that there is dissension in the Cabinet, some of the rremier's colleagues demanding Mr Bent's resignation.

The heads of the railways state that arrangements are completed for a limited train service in tbe event of a strike.

The Westraliau and Queensland Railway Men's Unions and many other bodies have forwarded messages of sympathy with the men.

May 3. There are hopes of a settlement of the railway difficulty.

Public opinion favours the dispute being referred to the Supreme Court.

The secretary of the Drivers' and Firemen's Society says the men are quietly awaiting developments.

Several of the executive officers of the Railway Carriage Builders' Society have resigned their positions. The secretary, however, has informed the railway authorities that the executive had no power to order the severance of the society from the Trades Hall.

The fourth railway society, the Amalgamated Railway Employees, numbering 5000, forwarded a letter refusing to accede to the Government's ultimatum and secede from the Trades Hall. Three of the societies, therefore, have given a direct refusal to obey, while the fourth one (the Carriage Builders) has partially obeyed.

This morning the Premier met the executives of the various railway unions and urged them to obey the orders of the Government.

The Cabinet has been sitting all the aftex*noon. No decision has yet been announced.

SYDNEY, April 29

Mr Hollis, secretary of the Railway Men's Federation of Australia, has been interviewed. Ha said that the Victorian Government was absolutely trying to force the railway men to strike. The men had a number of well-founded grievances. The Government, after breaking faith with them, was trying to crush them, and the men were justified in their resistance. The final decision rested with the Victorian societies, but if they struck, they had the assurance of help from other States. There would he no lack of money, and no men would go to their work from other States. If it came to a htrike it would be the bitterest struggle ever known in Australia, and a calamity to the whole Commonwealth.