NEWS STRICTLY CENSORED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17061, 14 August 1917, Page 5

NEWS STRICTLY CENSORED

AN OMINOUS MOVEMENT,

COMMUNITY IN DEAD EARNEST

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 13. Hie Australian Censors have evidently refused to allow any cables re the bydney strike to pass since Tuesday last. A message of mquiry. to the Press Association oihce produced no response, and apparently was not delivered. Private advices say that never was the outlook in any strike so ominous. The movement, has an altogether semi-revo-lutionary aspect, and the Government and people ar e accepting it as such. Preparations have been made very quietly, but very thoroughly. For once the community is in dead earnest, and ready to back extreme action. One writer hints at force being used if necessary. Extracts from Sydney papers state that during the Tuesday after the stoppage of the regular services, sixty trams were operating, and an improved service of country and suburban trains was also maintained by the aid of efficient workmen who remained loyal. No trams ran after nightfall, not for lack of men, but because the Commissioner considered it inadvisable to continue 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 reward for workers who remained loyal or volunteered to keep the services going. -Many offers of assistance were received, the Government's offer of an immediate investigation and redress of rea-1 grievances remained good. The strikers' Defence Committee, in detailing objections to the card system, said there were other systems used privately which would not be objectionable to the service. The results of the strike reported from the country centres and colliery districts were particularly depressing, owing to tlie 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 62 drains ran, mostly for the morning and evening business, the normal average for which is 94 trains, and as the Railway Commissioner's organisation was good, the services were expected to show an improvement on succeeding days. The strikers held demonstrations in the city, but steps were taken to prevent interference with the loyal men who were running the trams. The railway unions 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 to. :

The position on Thursday afternoon, however, indicated that the outlook was growing more serious. There were then fully fifteen thousand men on strike, and only isolated trams and trains were running. Though these were called "scabs," they were rushed by people anxious to reach their destinations. The watersiders and slaughtermen were. discussing the question as to whether > they" would come out also]