UNCHANGED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 78, 9 April 1913, Page 6

UNCHANGED.

THE N.S.W. STRIKE.

CRISIS APPROACHING. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association J Sydney, April 8. Mr Catts, secretary of the Association, strongly urged the men to accept the Government’s offer, which, by his efforts, was kept open till noon. He declared that the stiliters had compelled the Government to grant them a tribunal:.exceeding in power any previously available under industrial legislation.

Amid much excitement, a show of hands was taken, resulting in the Government’s offer again being rejected. Catts demanded a ballot, and this resulted similarly. Catts thereupon intimated that he would not attend any future meetings in connection with the strike, but would be with them in spirit. Ho then left the meeting. A feature of to-day’s meeting was the hostility towards Catts. It is alleged that the men have become suspicious of his motives, charging him with acting on account of personal motives, rather than in the interests of the men. Dairy produce and firewood sales are practically suspended, and though large quantities are standing in truck and are in transit, little is available. At some stations, the held-up goods include truckloads of decaying vegetables and rabbits, making their presence offensively evident. Prices so far are little affected, but there is some excitement on the wheat market. Millers are unable to take delivery of grain, and are prepared to give higher prices in order to keep the mills going till the trouble is over, but local supplies are not large, and holders are disinclined to sell. Storekeepers in country towns are arranging for supplies per steamer and teams. Mr McGowen, owing to the strike, has cancelled his proposed visit to Albury to-morrow. ENGINES SHORT OF COAL. PASSENGER TRAFFIC DISORGANISED. Sydney, April 9. The action of the fuel men is already severely felt. Many engines have run short of coal and are unable to continue running. The passenger traffic- at the Central Station is badly disorganised. Engine-drivers and stokers have refused to handle the fuel, and as the empty engines arrived they were put out of commission, 1 : 'Crowds returning from business found numbers of trains cancelled or greatly delayed, notices to this effect being posted. Rumors current that the whole service was stopped, caused a great rush for trams.

There is every indication that the crisis will bo reached to-morrow. Unless some method is evolved of replenishing the fuel, the engines of the whole service must stop.

Many wild rumors are current regarding the extension of the strike, and the men are holding continuous meetings. The decisions, if any, have not been divulged. Heavy rain is interfering with the news from other strike centres. ALL THE SHUNTERS OUT. ROYAL COMMISSION TO INQUIRE INTO INDUSTRIAL MATTERS. (Received 9.20 a.m.) Sydney, April 9. The striking shunters have called out all the shunters in the Metropolitan area. A duplicate strike committee has been appointed to re-place the present committee in the event of the latter being gaoled. It has been decided also that if the duplicate be arrested, another set will be appointed.

The Raiway Workers and General Labourers Union, to which belong the strikes at the coal staging, favours resumption. The executive say that the union passed a resolution to the effect that the wages board system should bo remodelled, and the chairman allowed to sit on more than one board; all the awards should be retrospective from the date of filing the claims, since undue delay in reaching finality has been the cause of the present unrest in New South Wales, and tends to bring arbitration into disfavour with the workers. Mr Carmichael states that a Royal Commission will be appointed, there being many industrial matters requiring inquiry.

UNSATISFACTORY OUTIAX )K. TROUBLE IN THREE STATES. (Received 10.10 a.in.) Sydney, Apr 1 9. At a meeting o l ' the emooyeos in Sydney a sugger'oi was made that ten per cent of the employees should he dismissed to compensate f<»i the shrinkage of business caused, by the railway strike. The matter was deferred for a few days in the hope of a settlement, hut it is reported that the suggestion will he adopted shortly if the struggle continues. A number of general warehouses have given their storemen a week’s notice. The strike has played havoc with the wholesale trade. VICTORTAN RAILWAYMEN DISSATISFIED. Melbourne, April 9. The trouble in New South Wales has intensified the dissatisfaction prevalent among sections of the Victorian railway employees. If the New South

Wales authorities employ non-union-j ists, a serious position will be created i because the Victorian railway men will be instructed to refuse to handle the block of goods. BROKEN HILL 'TROUBLE. Adelaide, April 9. The Government has already lost several thousands of pounds owing to interference with the goods traffic between Port Pirie and Broken Hill. Chiefly ore and coal from Broken Hill is becoming daily shorter. There is nothing fresh in connection with the South mining strike. Proprietors refuse to make any advance until the men resume, and a dead-lock therefore remains. AN EXTENSION OF TIME. A SECRETARY’S OPINION: SHEER MADNESS TO JOIN THE STRIKE. Sydney, April 9. The executive of the Labour Council has been informed that Mr Johnson, Railway Commissioner, las extended the time for resumption fioiu nine o’clock this morning until two o’clock this afternoon, with a view to enabling the executive to influence today’s meeting of strikers. Mr Johnson denies that the extension is the result of a meeting of the council. The railway and tramway union’s loCqmotive drivers, passenger guards, and porters will continue worK. The secretary of the Trolly, Draymen, and Carters’ Unions recmimeids the members to remain neutral. He considers it would be sheer madness to join the strike. It will he a big proposition to get members to agree to tins view.