THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS.

Southland Times, Issue 19048, 16 May 1903, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS.

NEW MEN TO BE RETAINED NO HOOH FOR THE. RINGLEADERS. A TYPICAL SECRETARY. United Pr*Bß Association (By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) AIELHOUUXK. May 15. Tin- eight executive officers of the amalgamated societies who were removed from office ha\o instituted proceedings against the Commissioner for wrongful dismissal. The damages are not yet fixed. The Premier states that it is not the intention of the Governin'ent to permit nil the men who struck to resume duty. The men who tame to the assistance of the State, whereof 211 are now actually engaged, did so under a distinct promise of permanent employment, nnd their claims were pnrtunount for positions for which they were suited. Moreover, it was not intended at the present time to bring the service up to anything like the full conditions prevailing before the strike. Those men who were over-active In or. ganising the strike, took the part of intimidiUinir. or were guilty oi leaving their trains anywhere on the 'ines, would receive no consideration. The Government hud appointed a board to enquireinto the claims of strikers applying to

resiitiH'

A largo mooting of sympathisers wilh the strikers last nitfhf denounced the Strike Hill «s a pircr of barbarism un-

puralleled in British history. The drivers' secretary said he knew instances where men were alleged to have returned to work who were at that moment at strike headquarters. The men were standing firm, and lighting fairly, honestly, nnd quietly, causing as little trouble und hardship ns they could, and would continue to do so. If' the Bill passed a few might waver, but it would he few indeed. He concluded : "We will hold meetings and they can lock-up our metropolitan six hundred under their extraordinary Bill, but that, will not run the trains." One outcome of the strike is the diverting or a large volume Of Victorian border traffic to N.S. Wales.