GREAT STRIKE.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7915, 7 August 1917, Page 3

GREAT STRIKE.

OF AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYMEN. SERVICES HELD UP.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SYDNEY, August 6.

At the conclusion of a lengthy meeting the strikers’ defence committee officially announced that the committee had decided that all coal in the Railway Commissioners’ service was black.

The delegates of the Locomotive Engineers’, Drivers’, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Union and of the Tramway Union and the Amalgamated Railway and Tramway Service Association have informed the committee that their executive have decided that their members should cease work throughout the service. The effect will be that all railway and tramway services will cease work as far as union labor is concerned at midnight tonight.

Despite the union's decision the Commissioners are confident that they will be able to maintain a reasonable country passenger and goods service although suburban traffic will cease at G. 30 to-night. The coal stocks are ample to meet requirements. The railway clerks are manning the coal stages and there are many outside offers of help. A few drivers and firemen remain loyal.

One immediate effect was felt at Sussex street prices, which are advancing rapidly. Potatoes have increased 20s a ton.

AN ULTIMATUM.

GOVERNMENT WILL CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, This day. Mr Fuller has issued an ultimatum appeal as follows:—“We are dealing with what in effect is a rebellion against orderly government and the community. Upon every citizen devolves the solemn duty of saying whether he is for the State or surrender all authority to men lost to all sense of public duty. With a full sense of its responsibility the Government states that the card Bcheme is only an excuse for a strike. There are numbers of men who for many months have been steadily working in the direction of a big industrial upheaval, and are now using thousands of local railwaymen to effect their ulterior ends. Therefore, if the strike is not terminated before Friday next the Government will utilise the offers of services made and call for volunteers to assist in running the services. After Friday no workman will go back on the old status. The Government makes this final appeal with a full sense of the possible results of its action.” The Government has issued a warning that steps are being taken to prevent the inflation of prices of foodstuffs. TROUBLE SPREADING. REFUSAL TO LOAD FOODSTUFFS FOR EXPORT.

(Received This Day 11 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This day. It is stated that the action of the wharf laborers in refusing to load foodstuffs for export is only the beginning of a serious industrial fight involving thousands of workers. ENEMY INFLUENCE. THE ROOT OF THE TROUBLE. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This day. Replying to a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce asking for the prevention of the blocking of the export of foodstuffs, Mr Hughes said he had not the slightest doubt that the influence of the enemy was at work in the present instance. There were also secret enemies plotting to prevent Australia from doing its duty who were just as implacable in their hatred of the British Empire as Germany herself. COMPLETE HOLD-UP. WELLINGTON, This day. A private cable from Sydney reports that the train and tramway services have been totally stopped and complete disorganisation of the city’s business is inevitable. THE TRANSPORT PROBLEM. WORKERS HELD UP. . (Received This Day, 2 p.m.) SYDNEY, This day. The city has a semi-deserted appearance. Tram traffic is completely suspended and every description of conveyance is plying but unable to cope with the rush of workers towards the city. Thousands are unable to reach their employment. All sporting fixtures have been cancelled.

Produce sales have been stopped and motor teams have been arranged to bring vegetables and other necessary food supplies from the country. The Government is absolutely determined to grapple with the crisis.