SERIOUS STRIKE IN SYDNEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3309, 15 August 1917, Page 21

SERIOUS STRIKE IN SYDNEY.

SYMPATHETIC STRIKE IN MELBOURNE. The strike of railway men and Sydney tramway men* as a protest against the issue of time cards assumed a serious aspect, but to what extent the trouble has spread is not known, as only one short cablegram has been received since Thursday, 9th inst., all information having doubtless been censored.

On the 7th inst. Sydney had a deserted appearance, tram traffic being suspended. While all kinds of vehicles were requisitioned, they N could not cope with the rush of workmen to the city, and thousands were unable to reach their employment. All sporting fixtures were cancelled and produce sales stopped. It was arranged to bring vegetables and necessary food supplies from the country by means of motor vans. The biscuit factory of William Arnott and Co. was closed in consequence of the strike, and 1500 men thrown idle. The men employed at Darling harbour had declined up to the 7th to cease work. The few trams running were guarded by the police. The strike was almost universally condemned. Even many unionists who are involved consider the reason for the action put forward is insufficient, whilst outside the unions is the solid public opinion that, whether right or wrong, the most extreme wing of the Labour party, smarting under its defeat at-the late elections, is deliberately seeking a trial of strength with the National Government. The Government accepts this view, but many of the leaders deny it. A strongly preponderating demand is that, the country having placed the Government in power with the avowed object of checking extremist encroachments, the Government must act without fear or favour. Indications are that the Government is fully prepared for and determined to carry out its mission. The secretary of the Coal and Shale Employees' Federation states that he received information from Newcastle that the whole of the northern collieries would close down on Wednesday. The Chamber of Manufacturers has decided to support the Government even by closing down the factories if necessary. The Farmers' and Settlers' Association is solidly behind the Government, and has offered to supply any labour required. On the Bth there was an improvement in the Sydney tramway service, and the rush of workers to the city was largely coped with, and with better-manned staffs business .-as brisker. Heavy drafts of the police from the country districts were brought to the city. A cable message on the 13th says:— The lighting, heating, and l cooking restrictions existing owing to the recent coal strike are being enforced in order to economise fuel. The ship painters and dockers struck to-day. THE GOVERNMENT FIRM. Mr fuller, Acting Premier of New South Wales, issued an ultimatum, -in the form of an appeal, as follows: — We are dealing with what in effect is a rebellion against orderly government, and against the community. Upon every citizen devolves the solemn duty of saying whether he is for the State or for the surrender of all authority to men who are lost to all sense oi public duty. With a full sense of responsibility the Government states that the card system is only an excuse for the strike. There are numbers of men who for many months have been steadily working in the direction of a big industrial upheaval and who are now using thousands of loyal raihvaymen to effect their ulterior ends. Therefore, if the strike is not terminated before Friday next, the Government will utilise the offers of services that have been made to them, and will call for volunteers to assist in running the service. After Friday no -workman will be allowed to go back on the old status. The Government makes this final appeal with a full sense of the possible results of its action. The Government has issued a warning that steps are being taken to prevent the inflation of foodstuffs on account of the strike. SYMPATHETIC STRIKES. Owing to the decision of the wharf labourers at Melbourne not to load foodstuffs, all oversea vessels were held up there. It is stated that the action of the wharf labourers is only the beginning of a serious industrial fight, involving thousands of workers. Replying to a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce asking for the prevention of the blocking of the export of foodstuffs, Mr W. M. Hughes said : " There is not the slightest doubt that the influence of the enemy is at work in the present instance. There are also secret enemies plotting to prevent Australia from doing her duty, and they are just as implacable in their hatred of the British Empire as is Germany herself." Ine wharf labourers at Fremantle, Western Australia, have refused to handle flour for Singapore or Dutch ports, and foreign loading is suspended. PRESS CENSORS AT WORK. WELLINGTON, August 13. The Australian Censors have evidently refused to allow any cables regarding tho Sydney strike to pass since Tuesday last. A message of inquiry to tho Press Association's office produced no response, and apparently was r.ot delivered. Private advic-a say that "Never was the outlook in any strike so ominous. Tho movement has an altogether semi-revolutionary aspect, and tho Government and peopla are. accepting it. Preparations have been made very

quietly, but very thoroughly. For onto tno community is in dead earnest, and ready to back extreme action." 'liie writer hints at force being used if necessary. Extracts from Sydney papers state that during Tuesday, atter tho stoppage of regular services, 60 trains were operating, and an improved service of country and suburban trains was also maintained by tho aid of efficient workmen who remained loyal. No train ran after nightfall—not for lack of men, but because tho Commissioner considered it advisable to discontinue running after dark. A large number of railway and train men who had struck went back to work, and tho Government renewed its offer of adequate protection and reward for workers who remained loyal or who volunteered to keep tho services going. Many offers of assistance have been received, and the Government's offer of immediate investigation and redress of real grievances remains good. The Strikers' Defenco Committee, in detailing objections to the card system, said thero were other systems used privately which would not bo objectionable. The serious results of the strike are reported from the country centres. Tho colliery districts wero particularly depressed, owing to the threatened stoppage of a considerable portion of the coal trade. Wednesday's happenings showed improved railway and tram services, 160 trams being in use* while 62 trains ran, mostly for morning and evening business, the normal averago of which is 94 trains, and, as tho Railway Commissioners' organisation was good, the services wero expected to show an improvement on succeeding days. The strikers held demonstrations in tho city, but steps were taken to prevent interference with the loyal men who are running trains The railway unions called on the big industrial organisations for support, and later, after long meetings, sent delegates to tho Government asking for an immediate inquiry and the withdrawal of the card system. This the Government unhesitatingly declined to agree to. Tho position on Thursday afternoon, however, indicated that tho outlook was growing more serious. Fully 15,000 men are on strike, and only isolated trams and trains were running. Though these were called "scab," they were rushed by people anxious to reach their destinations. The waterside workers and slaughtermen wero discussing the question whether thoy should como out, also. Mr C. H. Ensor, of Canterbury, sheep farmer, who haa just returned from Sydney, declares that an'ugly feeling prevails, and there is going to be trouble, but the New South Wales Government was going to be firm, though he was afraid the same could not bo said of tho Queensland Government if the trouble should spread there. In Queensland shearing was at a standstill, and other trouble seemed likely there. Reverting to the Sydney strike, Mr Ensor said that both sides seemed very determined. Tho public were up against tho strikers in fact, ho had never known a strike in which popular opinion was so strongly against the strikers. No rising had occurred, but he would not be surprised if considerable trouble occurred before the strike ended.