SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10591, 7 March 1913, Page 5

SYDNEY GAS STRIKE.

United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph,—Copyright. Sydney, March 6. There are rumours of efforts making towards the settlement of the strike. The secretary of the Labour Council conferred with Premier McGowen and the Hon. Carmichael, 'and subsequently the Ministers stated there was nothing new to report, Th® gasmen’s secretary declared they were still open to negotiate, but if the companies’ intention was to sit back and fight the men’s intention was the same.

The police and thefjgas companies’ managers pay tributes to the strikers’ excellent behaviour. An augmented number of free labourers and volunteers are doing steady work. At Manly the supply is uninterrupted, a full staff of volunteers having ieplaced|the strikers. Though the North Shore Company is prepared to give a full supply, many streets are u’nlighted owing to the lamplighters being out. The city is still gasless. The refilling of the immense reservoirs is a lengthy process. Business is badly hampered, but prospects for an early renewal of the service are hopeful. The majority of the city and inner suburbs residents are without fuel. Householders are driven to all sorts of shifts. In some instances several houses use one stove, taking turn about, the breakfast hour varying from very early morning till late in the forenoon, according to the'place allotted in the queue. Other meals are procured as the overworked stove offers opportunity. Cold collations are largely the order of the da3 r , OUTLOOK BRIGHTER. Received March 7, 9.20 a.m. Sydney, March 7. The outlook for a settlement of tiie strike is regarded as brighter. Negotiations between Government .and representatives of the men reopened late last night. Mr Carmichael stated that letters were sent by both sides asking to meet the Premier in his room this afternoon to discuss the situation. Mr Carmichael declared no doubt both will respond to the Premier’s invitation. In view of this development the Labour Council postponed discussion of the strike. The secretary, in view of the important negotiations today, asked that the interests of the men and all concerned in the matter bo left in abeyance, and added that if the strike is not amicably settled very shortly there will be serious trouble which will lead to chaos and a repetition of what happened at Brisbane strike. The secretary of the Gasmen’s Union in supporting this declared r—“lf there is going to be a settlement we are going back with peace and honour. It will be on our own terms, not otherwise. The matter is in good capable hands, and I am sure the union will come out on top.” In the event of a settlement not being reached to-day the Council will meet to-morrow afternoon to decide what action will be taken prior to the representatives waiting on the Premier. To-day mass meeting of strikers will be field.

His experience as a stoker, the Lord Mayor declared, was no child’s play. He should say if the men actually receive only Ss a day there is a reasonable margin for considertion of an increase. He does not think the public object in the slightest to recognise the reasonableness of paying an extra twopence for gas if by so doing the men’s demand of 9s could be conceded. As an outcome of the strike the North Sydney Council adopted an agreement with the loyal company to electrically light the borough. The men engaged on contract work at the Australian Gaslight Company’s Mortlake works struck objecting to the presence of free labourers.

Several unions resolved to financially assist the strikers if necessary. Emulating the Lord Mayor some of the suburban Mayors offered their services. The volunteers’ list includes banking officials, merchants, brokers, and many other whose hands like those who have already tried it are likely to bear scars, being unaccustomed to labour. Received 7, 11 a.m. Sydney, March 7. The first sign ' of resentment of the strikers to free labourers and volunteers is reported. Two men in the vicinity of'Kent Street works were roughly .handled. Some stones were thrown and one was struck on the head and injured. Bluejackets in one instance and police in the other came to the rescue.