THE ASHTRALIAN STRIKE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12085, 14 August 1917, Page 2

THE ASHTRALIAN STRIKE.

I VERY GRAVE STAGE REACHED. INDUSTRIES AND SHIPPING | HELD UP. •'Special to the ''Star.'*) WELLINGTON, August 14 From the latest advices from Sydney it appears that the labour trouble in New" South Wales has reached __ a grave stage. The strike has extended considerably, and th.3 workers now involved include employees in the railways and tramways transport, the waterside workers, coalminers and sections of the seamen. As a consequence, practically all industries and shipping : are held up. | The trouble has found a sympathetic 1 response to a small extent in Queensland, but there is no disaffection in Victoria, There has been so far no confirmation j of rumours of a serious conflict. SCENES IN SYDNEY. THE EVENING RUSH. (Sydney " luorning Herald," August 7.) There were some extraordinary scenes at the central station last evening. If you didn't get home, for tea, you didn't get home at all, for the last suburban trains left at about half-past six. There was an unprecedented rush between five and six o'clock. Thousands of men and women, youths and girls, who "'go to business," were allowed by their employers to get. away somewhat earlier than usual, in order to a.void the crush at the end, and they ran right into the crush. They rushed hither and thither. Everything was disorganised. On a small notice-board a very faint and closely typewritten statement gave a list, of the trains that were expected to run between the hours of four o'clock and eight o'clock. With the exception of two or three country trains, no train was timed to leave after 6.35. Around this, notice-board the people clustered, bumped and pushed. Two young women, after much trouble, got near enough to read it. At last one of them found what she wanted.and then, with a look of dismay, exclaimed: "It's gone! If we had only been a minute earlier we could have got it.'' As it was, they made a run for it, in the hone that they might yet catch it. There were many others like them; and after the first, disappointment was oyer they got to work on the telephones, ringing up their relations and 'friends who Jived near the trams, to know whether they would "have them for the night." Then there were mere telephone messages home, or to people who lived near, but it is probable that therewere many who were not only unable to get home, but even ur-a.bln to let their parents know of their predicament, As for the very limited train service, never-were such eights seen as these trains presented. ""They were simply packed to suffocation. Passages and carriage platforms were crammed with human beings. One would not have imagined that, it was possible to get f-o many people crammed into and about a railway carriage. They were everywhere except on top. " I wouldn't be hanging on thers for anything," said one mail pointing to one of the platforms. " No; Fll find a room at a "hotei to-night," And, indeed, he was right. Many people were taking a grave risk, and in one case there was a young woman en tho very outside, banging desperately to the railing. She was advised to get off, but would not do sc, and it wa.s*~impossible for her to get into a safer position, as the people were packed so closely that they couldn't move. And unless there is some sort of a settlement; over night we shall have the same difficulties, the same scenes, the same danger, again to-day and to-night —perhaps worse. THE TRAIN SERVICES. LITTLE SYMPATHY WITH STRIKERS. _ Yesterday (August 6) the public of Sydney had a taste of what, a big strike means when it is one that affects the transport services. It was a. day of .ii:conveniences, a day of tuicertainty, and, in some respects, a. day cf danger. The trams ran as usual, but the train service was utterly disorganised. The Commissioners ran what trains, they could, and the people just caught any tram that came along. Sometimes none came along at. all. During the business hours, however, 'the Commissioners were; able to run a much-reduced service, thanks to the loyalty of some of the engine drivers and firemen ; and thanks, also, to tho fact that numbers of exservice men and other men capable of rendering assistance placed themselves -';/, the disposal of the Department, One listened in vain for any expression of sympathy with the' stnLrcrs. Usually, when a big strike dees unfortunately occur a large number of the public will sympathise with the men who go out —as, for instance, when it 15 considered 'chat men who are striking for higher wages, ais underpaid. But it is not so this time"What are'they striking for?" said a train passenger yesterday. ''Nothing," replied another. And that is the general feeling. "No man can object to the card system unless he is a shirker," said a railway guard yesterday. •'' But there's more in it than the card,'' he added. ''' They talk about the Government trying to smash the Labour movement; but for my part, I am more inclined to look upon this strike as an attempt by the red-raggers to smash th& National Government. Why? Simply because the result of the elections has mads them angry. Well, they don't get me, anyway. I'm a unionist all right; hut I don't believe in holding up the country in this fashion in war time-—even if there was anything to fight about, Look at me, now. Thirty-eight years in the service, and my pension coming due. Do you thing I'm going to sacrifice that simply because a few hot-head-ed young fellows hava set this ; ching going. No. And I know an enginedriver who is one of the union leaders, and he's sticking to his post, because there's nothing to light about," And that is why such a 'large number of the men remain in the service—loyal to the Empire in the great struggle that is going en, loyal to the Government, loyal to thorns-Ives. Tne public is not siow to. appreciate loyal service, and 'thers were many patriotic demonstrations—they may truly be described as patriotic—yesterday. Tney took shape m various ways. For instance, the engine driver on the* train which left iiomsbv was repeatedly cheered as the train drew up at the various stations. and when it reached Sydney about 75 per coat of the 'oassengers walked up to the engine ami left something solid thoro in the way of appreciation. Again, en an early morning tram on tho Milton's Point lino, ono of tho passengers went through _the train and made a collection for the driver and fireman. \ n d it was a very substantial collection too. A similar collection was made on a rain on the Ulawarra line. Nor was this evidence of public appreciation confined to the early morn\ncr trains. The floor of one engine cab wa"s transformed into a silver carpet.