INDUSTRIAL CRISIS.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14483, 15 August 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

INDUSTRIAL CRISIS.

IN NEW SOUTH WALES. \

THE RAILWAY STRIKE,

NEWS. BY MAIL. .

NO PRESS CABLES PERMITTED.

AN OMINOUS OUTLOOK.

(United Pjress Association.)

, Wellington, Augustl3 The Australian censors have evidently refused to allow any cables regarding the New South Wales railway and tramway,strike to pass since Tuesday last. A message of inquiry to the Press Association's office at Sydney produced no response, and apparently was not delivered.

Private advices say that "never wasi the outlook in any strike so ominous. The.; movement has altogether ia semirevolutionary aspect, and the Government'and people are accepting it. preparations have been made very quietly, but very thoroughly. For once the community is in dead earnest and ready to back extreme action." The writer hints at force being. used if necessary. Extracts from Sydney papers, state that during. Tuesday,.after the stoppage of the regular services, sixty trams were operating. An improved service of country and suburban trains was also maintained by the aid.of efficient workmen, who remained loyal. No trams ran after nightfall, not for lack of men, but because the Commissioners considered it advisable to discontinue them after dark.

A large number of railway and tramway men who had struck went back to work. Tho Government renewed its offer of adequate protection and reward, for workers? who remained loyal or volunteered' to keep services going;. Many offers of assistance were received.

Tho Government's offer of immediate investigation and redress of real grievances remained good. The strikers' defence committee, in detailing objections to the card system, said that if it were used privately it would not be objectionable. Serious results of the strike are reported from country centres. Colliery districts were particularly depressed, owing to the threatened stoppage of a considerable portion of the coal trade.

Wednesday's happenings showed improved railway and tram serrices, 160 trams being in use, while 62 trains rari, mostly for morning and evening business, the average for which is 94 trains; and as the Railway Commissioners' organisation was good, the services wero expected to show an .improvement on succeeding days. The strikers held demonstrations in tho city, but steps yere taken to prevent interference with the loyal men who were running trams. The railway unions called on the big industrial organisations for support, and tho latter, after long meetings, sent delegates to the Government asking for an immediate inquiry 'and tho withdrawal of vie card system. This the Government unhesitatingly declined to agree to.

Tho position en Thursday afternoon, however, indicated that ttie outlook was growing more serious. There were fully 15,000 men on' strike, and only isolated trains and trains 'were running. Though these .had the term ".scab" applied to them, they were'rushed by people anxious to roach their destina'tFona.

Tho watersiders and the slaughtermen were discussing the question whether they should come out also.