Work or Trades Hall ?

Southland Times, Issue 19036, 2 May 1903, Page 2

Work or Trades Hall ?

LAILWAY MEN'S PROBABLE ACTION. OOVEHNM.ENT MAKING ritBPARATIOJNS. Per United Presß Association. (By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.) MELBOURNE, May 1. Despite the secrecy of the railway lien's meetings, it is alleged to bo raorilly certain that they will refuse to omply with the Government ultimatum. Vnother statement is that the men will uggest a commission. Instead of leuling with the whole of the executive Juicers of the societies, one only will re dismissed, and it will bo treated as L test case. Members of the Railway societies have been notified that a levy vill bo made next pay day. Probably t is intended only to meet legal expen;es. The Government has notified a lumber of pensioned enginedrlvers to told themselves in readiness to resume vork. / IHE DRIVERS' ASSOCIATION SAY . - NO." MELBOURNE, May 1. Received 2nd, 12.19 a.m. The executive officers of the Locomotive Engine-drivers and Firemen's AssoLion this afternoon, after protracted consideration and obtaining legal advice forwarded a letter to the Railway Commissioners in reply to the order to eever Iheir connection with Trades Hall or reiigii from the Association. The letter ;ays that, as officers of the % Association, iJiey have no power to comply with the ilemand : it is for the Association, nob ts executive officers, to decide whether my delegate shall be sent to the Trades iall Council. " What you ask us to do s impossible." The letter goes on : •As far us the second alternative is jonceriiedi, it raises the .question of our right as free men to dispose of our time when off duty. If we ure under obligations to resign our positions in the Association because you tell us to, Ye shall have to resign our offices in any benefit lodge or other bodies at your bidding. The Government has deprived us of our political privileges, but we tieny that you., have the right to deprive us of our civil privileges. We; are ready and willing to obey your lawful orders and all your lawful regulations. Tha question ultimately resolves itself into this: 'Have we, by refusing to resign a 9 ineml ers of the executive of this Association under the circumstances, infringed any lawful regulation or order.' " SERIOUS OUTLOOK. Received May 2nd, 1.20 a,tn, Unless the Government backs down, Of which at present there is no* sign, a railway lockout appears inevitable. Tho executive officers of the ' Daily Paid Employes' Association, have al&o replied, absolutely declining to comply with'the Commissioners' ultimatum, _ which " .they declare is illegal and arbitrary.' They deny the power. of the Commissioners to interfere with their ordinary civic or political rights after working hours, and the regulation' of the duties to be performed is described as a tyrannical-^-at-tempt to deprive them of. 'the rights of ' free citizenship in a free country. - . THE PAID AGITATOR AT WORK.Much excitement was "caused in. tho city by the May Bay> procession, 150 unemployed, headed, by " Tom Mann, marched through the streets, and 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. SYDNEY, May 1. Received May, 2nd, 1.20 a.m. Notices of reduction of. wages Were duly posted at the Newcastle colleries. A meeting of the ro'en wfcl be held ■ tomorrow to dfscuss ihe situation.