THE END

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1558, 16 May 1903, Page 3

THE END

MEN SURRENDER UNCONDITIONALY. Melbourne, May 15. The strike has ended. The men uus conditionally surrendered. THE TERMS OF SURRENDER. SPEECE BY MR IRVINE. MELBOURNE, May 15. The settlement ..f the strike was arranged at a conference held in the Parliamentary buildings Ktweeu the Premier, the Minister of Railways, the leaders of the Oppo. 'tion and Labour Party, the Hon. Gavan Duffy, Chief Justice Madden, ana the President and Secretary of the Enginedrivers' Association. It was surmised that the conference was with regard to the strike, but the strictest secrecy was observed as to the nature of the proceedings. The confeiuiice broke up at 2.30, when it was l.iderstood it would meet again soon after u p.m. AVhen it w i reported that the strike was over at first the news was read with incredulity. The first authoritative news from the Premier, wbo at four o'clock made a statement in the Legislative Assembly. On rising to speak he was greeted with loud cheers. He said : 'lt is extremely gratifying to me to me to be placed in the position of beiug able to announce that the unfortunate strike has come to an end, I received this morning, through favour of the Leader of the Oppos'tiou and other gentlemen, the following letters:— ' Locomotive Engine-drivers and Fremen's Association, May 15th, — Sir, —On behalf of the members of the above Association, now on strike, we desire to intimate to you that we have declaied the strike off, and that as u body we are prepared to return to work, in the full confidence that we will recsive justice at your hands.' The letter was signed by Messrs Hart (President) and Scorer (General Secretary). Mr Irvine said: —' In a matter of this sort it seemed to the Government that there should be left no possible room for misunderstanding as to their position, therefore I thought it necessary, after consultation with my colleagues, to make piovisions for tbe Government to put the position beyond the shado\v of a doubt. Accordingly, I wrote the following letter: 'I have to acknowledge your letter, in which, on behalf of the members of your Association, now on strike, you intimate that you have declared the strike off. Recogni: ; ng that this is intended as a c>mpliauce with the order of the Commissioner to withdraw your affiliation with the Trades Hall, the Government has taken your letter into consideration. I have had assurance from the gentlemen who conveyed your letter to me that tbey fully explained to you on behalf of the members of the above Associa.ion now on strike, we desire to intimate to you that we have declared the strike off, and that as a body we are prepared to return to work in full confidence that we will receive justice at your hands.' The lette; was signed by Messrs Hart and Scorer (General Secretary. Mr Irvine i aid: In a matter

of this tort it seemed to the Government that there should be left no possible room for misunderstanding as to their position, therefore I thought it necessary after consultation with my colleagues to make the intentions of the Government as publicly expressed in the enclosed statement. In addition to matters specifically referred to in t'lat statement, and in order to p/event any possible misunderst nd'n-?, I have to state that any members of the Association who will be pr to resume duty will permitted only ou the understanding that the Government shall be left with unfettered discretion to allow or disallow wholly or \ rtially all pensiors or compensation r'ghts which have already accrr. d or a>-e accruing, according to the merits of the individual ex '-. I shall be glau to have your confirmation on the e points.'' Mr Irvine went on to say that he had received a reply to the effect that the Association fully understood and accepted the terms the Government imposed.