RAILWAY STRIKE

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1555, 13 May 1903, Page 3

RAILWAY STRIKE

CABLEGRAMS.

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FAR REACHING RESULTS, PUGNACIOUS WOMEN. POLIOEMEN STAND ALOOF. Melbourne, May 11. AT a meeting of the soft Roods trades it was decided that they would lecouipelled to close their factories sooner or later owing to their inability to forward orders. Timber mills supplies are cut oft, and Sharp and Sous and James Moore have been compelled to close, 230 hauds beiug thrown idle. Trade generally is stagnant, and a number of firms have notified their hauds that their services will probably not be required next week. There is a great demand for condensed milk and tinned meats and fish. Prices show a strong advance. Large shipments of wheat are arriving, and these dispel tho fear of any serious rise in breadstuff's. A large number of strikers' wives took part in a demonstration at the North Melbourne yards, the object being the overawing of applicants for work. The women were many of them armed with sticks and stones. They were extremely excited, and were with difficulty prevented from doing persona 1 , violence. A noticeable feature in Saturday night's scrimmage wai that the North Melbourne police refrained from taking action. Complaints on this head have led to tho suspension of three coustables. So far there have been 'l5O applicants for work as drivers and firemen. They are being examined. Two hundred have already been engaged. The railway revenue for the week ended Thursday was £3900 less than for the corresponding week of last year. The express which left Adelaide on Friday, after many vicissitudes, reached Ballarat yesternight. Despite the leaders' statements that cicketing is not necessary it is be ing resorted to to a considerable extent. All the known applicants for work have been interviewed and an effort made to induce them to join the strike. Sydney, May 12. The first direct effect of the strike in New South Wales was felt at Albury, where all casual railway hands have been discharged. ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT ENDORSED. Melbourne, May 12. Many influential public bodies in the various States have adopted resolutions condemning tho strike and sympathising with the Government. A meeting of Melbourne University undergraduates carried a resolution expressing confidence in the Government and determination to assist in any capacity. Subsequently many offered their services to the railways in any capacity. * PRESS COMMENTS. Melbourne, May 12. The Age, in dealing with the strikers' manifesto, refers to the ' audacious contumacy of the strikers,' and asks, ' Could there be a lamer excuse to palliate a great crime ?' London, May 11. The Standard says the strike besides being immediately injurious to Victoria's prosperity is a manifestation of a general danger to the Commonwealth. It characterises it as a deliberate attempt of a political party to control the machinery of business in order to dictate to the Government, and declares Mr Irvine is right to incur any hazard to prevent a section of the community acquiring dictatorial powers. The Morning Post says if the Government remain firm there is no doubt as to the final issue, It is monstrous, it says, that irresponsible strikers should have the power to dislocate traffic and interfere with the convenience andcomtort of millions of people. The Daily Graphic declares that since Civil servants have direct legislative representation the action of the labour bodies is all the more indefensible. A GOVERNMENT PROCLAMATION. PARLIAMENTARY ACTION. Melbourne, May 12. The Government last night issued a proclamation warning people under the penalty of the law not to assemble in the streets or the neighbourhood of the railway station yards, and calling upon the public to assist in maintaining law and order. Most of tho members seized the opportunity to come to town on Friday before the block came, in readiness for the opening of Parliament on Wednesday. What exactly will occur cannot be predicted, but tho very general opinion is that the Government will be very strongly supported in tho action it has taken. It is understood that the whole question of the strike will be discussed when Parliament meets, and a short Bill will be introduced dealing with the question of tho relation of the public servants and their affiliation to political bodies. OVER-SEA MAILS. Sydney, May 11. Arrangements are now complete for forwarding the mails to and from Molbourno by steamer until tho through train service is again assured. The Dumbea took largo consignments, including tbo English mails. These will be shipped by the Orotava, which is detained at Melbourne till Wednesday. Saturday's Melbourne mail arrived by steamer to-day. Tho English mail by the Rome is coming on from Melbourne, and reaches Sydney two days late. With the exception of chaff, which ha* .advanced £1 per ton, and a rise of 2r and 3d in maize, the Victorian stf&o so far has had little appreciable effect on the produce market. FEELING IN SYDNEY. Sydney, May 12. Thero is generally a much more hopeful feeling in commercial circles regarding the ttrike. All the available Sydney-Melbourne steamers are being utilised in carrying the mails. The sailings of some are ourposely delayed. •