SYDNEY STRIKE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12085, 14 August 1917, Page 7

SYDNEY STRIKE.

OMINOUS OUTLOOK. MOVEMENT.. DESCRIBED AS SEMI-REVOLUTIONARY. GOVERNMENT PREPARED. [Pee. Pbess Association .1 WELLINGTON, August 13 The Australian censors bare evidently refused to allow any cables regarding the Sydney strike 'to .pass since Tuesday last. A massage 'of inquiry to the Press Association's office produced no response., and apparently was not delivered. Private advices say that '' never was the outlook in any strike so ominous. The movement has altogether a semi-revolutionary aspect and the Government and people are accepting it. Preparations have been made very quietly Out very thoroughly- ror once the community is in dead earnest and ready to back extreme action.;_ The writer hints at force being used if necessary. ' Extracts from Svdney papers state that during Tuesday, after the stoppage of the regular services, sixty warns Were operating An improved service to the country and suburban trains also were maintained by the aid of efficient workmen who remained loyal- No trams ran after nightfall, nor, for lack of men, but because the Commissioner considered, it advisable to discontinue after dark- ~ A large number of railway and tram men who had struck went'back to work. The Government renewed its offer of adequate protection and a reward for workers who remained loyal or volunteered to keep the services going. Manv offers of assistance were received. The "Government's offer of immediate investigation redress of real grievances remained good. Serious results cf the strike are reported from country centres, and the 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 services, 160 trams being in use. while sixty-two trains ran, mostly for morning and evening business, the normal average for which is ninety-four trains, and as the Railway Commissioner's organisation was good the services were expected to show an improvement on the succeeding days. The strikers held demonstrations in the city, but stops were taken to prevent interference with local men running the trams. The railway unions have called on the big industrial organisations for support, and the latter, after long meetings, sent delegates to the Government, asking for an immediate inquiry and the withdrawal of the card system. This the Government unhesitatingly declined to agree toThe position on Thursday afternoon, however, indicated that the outlook was growing "more serious. Fully fifteen thousand men were on strike, and only isolated tram 3 and trains were running. Though these were; called "scab' 1 they were rushed by people anxious to reach their destinations. The watersiders and slaughtermen were discussing the question whether to come out also. GOING TO BE TROUBLE. MR ENSOR'S IMPRESSIONS. [FeOH OUS COREESFONBENT.] WELLINGTON, August 13. "There is no doubt things in Australia are in a .state of chaos," said Mr C. H. Ensor, a well-known Cantor bury runholder and breeder of Corriedales, who has returned from a two months' visit to the other side. When he left there recently the Labour upheaval was in full swing. Although there had been no rioting or disturbances in the streets, there ceitainly was, he stated, a very ugly feeling in the air. "There is going to be trouble, I am afraid," lift said, "■' but you may take it that the Government. of New South Wales is going to be firm in the matter- I am afraid the same cannot be said of the Queensland Government, if the trouble should generally spread there. In Queensland now all shearing is at a. standstill."' There is a possibility of other trouble, too. t Before Mr Elisor left Sydney he went to Hyde Park and heard I.W.W. orators at work. He says they are openly preaching the doctrine of anarchy, the go-slow policy and " stick a bar of iron into the boss's machinery, if nothing else will do." Tn regard to the train and tram, strikes, Mr Ensor states an ultimatum was issued to the men concerned that unless they returned to work at a certain time steps would be taken to run the services in another way. '"Both sides then 6eemed very determined,'' he said, " but there is no doubt the public as a body are well up against the strikers. 1 have never known a strike in which popular opinion is so solidly against the strikers. "Nevertheless, there was an ugly feeling in the an*. 1 should not be at all surprised if there was some considerable trouble before it is all over." ECONOMY PROVISIONS. SYDNEY, August 13, The heating and cogking restrictions, which existed in the recent coal strike, are being enforced in order to economise fuel. The ship painters and dockers struok to-day. TRBMANTLE, August 13. The wharf labourers refused to handle flour for export to Singapore and Dutch ports. Foreign loading has been suspended.