SYDNEY STRIKE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16312, 14 August 1917, Page 2

SYDNEY STRIKE.

IN THE CITY. the Strike spreading. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received 10 p.m., August Tilth. SYDNEY, August 13. Lighting, heating, and cooking restrictions existing during tlie recent coal strike aro being enforced in order . to economise fuel. 'Ship painters and dockers struck today. FREJIANTLE, August. 13. Wharf workers refused to handle export flour to Singapore and Dutch ports. All foreign loading has been suspended. CABLES CENSORED. NEWS BY MAIL. POSITION VERY SERIOUS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 13. Australian, censors have evidently refused to allow any cables regarding tlio Sydney strike to pass 6ince Tuesday last. A message of inquiry to tho Press Association s office produced no response, and apparently was not delivered.

Private advices say that "Never was thii outlook in any strike so ominous. The movoment haa altogether a semirevo'utionary aspect, and the Government and. people are accepting it ill that light.. Preparations have been made very quietly but very thoroughly. For once the community is in dead earnest and ready to back extreme iK't-ion." The writer hints at force being used if nocessary. Extracts from Sydney papers state that during Tuesday, after vile stoppage of tiu? regular services, sixty trams were operating, and an improved service of country and suburban trains was also maintained by the aid of efficient workmen who remained loyal. No trains ran after nightfall, not for lack of men but because the Commission considered it advisable to discontinue alter dark. A large number of j ail way and train men who had struck wont, back to work. The Government renewed its offor of adequate protection and reward 'for workers who remained loyal or volunteered to keep the services going, and many offers of assistance were received. The Government's offer of an immediate investigation and redress of real grievances remained good. The strikers' defence committee, in detailing objections to the card system, said there were other systems used privately which would not be objectionable. A seiious result of the strike is reported irom country centres, and colliery districts were particularly depicssed, owing to the threatened stoppage of a considerable portion of the coal trade.

Wednesday's happenings showed improved railway and tram services, IGO trams being in W e, while 62 'nuns -ran, mostly for morning and evening business, the normal average for which is 94 trains, and as the Railway Commissioners' organisation was goo:! the services were expected to show improvement on succeeding days. The strikers held demonstrations in the city, but, steps were taken tr> prevent interference with local men running the trams. The railway unions failed on big industrial organisations for support; and the latter, a'ter long meetings sent de'ocrntes to the Government asking for an immediate inquiry and the withdrawal of the card system. This the Government unhesitatingly declined to a:>-ee to. I The pns'tinn 011 T'>>irsdav afternoon, however, indicated that +l, o ! was growing move serious. Fully fifteen thousand men were on strike, I and only isolated trams and trains ' were running. Though these were called "scab" they were rushed by people anxious to reach their destinations. The watersiders and slaughtermen were discussing the question whether tn eomo out also. Mr C. IT. Elisor, a. Canterbury sheep fanner who .has just returned from Sydney, declares that/ an ugly feeling prevails, and that there is going to bo trouble, but the New South "Wales Government; is going to he firm, though li» was afraid the same could not be '■■' id r>!' i'io Queen-land Government it' ill" trouble should spread there. The Queensland shearing was at a standstill ! 1 t,the:* tror.'ih's sex-ned likelv there. "Revc-rting io the Sydney strike Mr Knsor said both side-; seemed very j determined. The public were up , agairi"t the strikes. Tn fact. he had J never knn\i 11 n s'r'k" in which pnpular I opinion was so strongly against- the [striker-'. No rioting had occurred, but h.> would noi he i-m-nrised if eonsiiTerah 1 .- h'onhh- oe. urred bolYire the strike ended.