SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 6 March 1913, Page 5

SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. Sydney, March 5. There was wild confusion at the Lord Mayor’s rally at the Town Hall, and a very fierce fight took place between the police and a body of unionists. The Lard Mayor was howled down. The police, using batons, ejected several and -succeeded in quelling the disturbance. The Lord Mayor s appearance was the signal for a great demonstration, those in sympathy with the object of the meeting cheering heartily, while a strong section hooted lustily. After appealing for fair play and trying for some time to get a hearing, the Lord Mayor warned the interrupters that unless they stopped their tactics they would be removed. ‘Amidst continued interruptions, and counter-demonstrations, workmen marched to the platform and presented the Lord Mayor with a large shovel, with the request to take it to the gas works and do some stoking. The Lord Mayor, addressing the rowdy section, declaring that they had a very poor case if they could not hear the other side. “Ail we are here to-day for,” he said, “is to say whether a few men by an act of insubordination can tie up the common services and leave our homes in darkness.”

At this point hostility was so demonstrative that the Lord Mayor ordered one of the disturbers to be ejected, A wild scene of disorder followed. When a policeman attempted to carry out the order, the man’s comrades crowded round and a violent struggle ensued. More police pushed through. They were roughly hustled, and were compelled to draw their batons. Eventually several men were ejected. While the tussle was in progress, the hall was in commotion, and the audience was greatly excited. Meantime, strong police reinforcements arrived, when order was restored. The Lord Mayor, continuing, said; “I am sorry for the disturbance, hut it is not our fault. In this movement we are backed up by the employees themselves and the whole representative men of the city. These men are going to support you in any wise movement taken to remove the existing disabilities. ” Attempts made to interrupt speakers following the Lord Mayor were summarily suppressed by the police. Several more interjectors were removed.

A resolution was moved by the President of the Chamber of Commerce, seconded by the president of the Employers’ Federation, expressing alarm at the action of the gas men in plunging the city and suburbs into darkness, stopping industries and causing deprivations to the sick and needy, and asking Government to take steps to protect the citizens in any attempt to restore the daily life and industrial conditions to a normal state. This motion was carried, also a second resolution moved by the president of the Chamber of Manufacturers, “pledging this great meeting of citizens, representing commerce and industry in all its various phases, to volunteer as a body to assist in restoring to the community its daily light and power. ’ ’ ' The Lord Mayor announced that ho had received from the University intimation that 60 undergraduates were available as volunteers, as well as other offers. He added: We want gas and are prepared to work for it, and not accept threepence for the work, but to take the billets of the men and hold them until they come to their senses and return to work. As a sequel to the meeting a man has been fined £1 for assaulting the 1 police superintendent during the ejectment tussle. Superintendent Goulder was knocked down" and struck bf a chair. His uniform was badly torn. Employees of the Manly Gas Oiompany, about forty, have joined the strike. At the conclusion of the meeting, large numbers enrolled their names as volunteers. They will be distributed among the various companies. The North Shore Go. hope to continue the supply to-morrow, if not permanently. From the Town Hall the Lord Mayor proceeded to Kent Street gas works. Discarding his frock coat and tall hat, he rigged himself in an old pail of pants and a sweater, and did four hours of a fireman’s shift like a workman. Other volunteers were initiated into the work. The retorts are filling steadily, and it is hoped the city will have gas to-morow. Gas has been turned on again in the North Shore district. Received March 6, 10 a.m. Sydney, March 6. There were 400 volunteers at the Town Hall meeting. The Lord Mayor’s shift included Colonel Lassetter ;.and a number of other prominent men. The Australian Gaslight Company offer to reinstate all strikers if they return to-day, but declare that they will fight to the bitter end. The secretary of the Federated Enginedrivers denies the rumours that the electric light workers intend to join the strikers. The secretary of the Gas Workers advocates calling Parliament gether to deal with the situation. Since the companies do not agree to cancelling the agreement and will not agree to establishing a Wages Board they cannot get nearer a settlement till the Act has been amended. The workers are willing to negotiate, but it must be on a basis of peace with honour. The Secretary of the Labour Council has appealed "to the companies to permit mediation. Received March p.m. Sydney, March (>. Although there are rumours of a general strike the officials of several larger unions oppose such action, and consider it would be a blunder and would not help the gas men. Some unions passed resolutions of sympathy with the strikers and condemnatory of Government offering encouragement to free labourers. Six fitters in Moxtlako works struck, refusing to repair damages caused by unskilled free . labourers. It is claimed on behalf of the gas men that the trouble at the Town Hall meeting was not of their making and none participated in the rowdyism. Bo fax’ their conduct in the vicinity of the works where they continue largely to congregate has been exemplary. When the undergraduate voluueers arrived in a body to commence

work the striJseis greeted them with cheers. . , The newspaper, The-Worker, commenting on the situation, says the Ministry blundered badly. They gave the men only half a day to accept the employers’ terms and threatened to place amateur blacklegs in their place trying to out-Wade Wade, who, even in the matter of the Newcastle strike, showed more forbearance. Evidently the Ministry lost its head and labour’s cup of bitterness is full even to overflowing.