LIGHTS STILL OUT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 13924, 7 March 1913, Page 5

LIGHTS STILL OUT.

SYDNEY GAS MEN’S STRIKE. Press Association.—Telegraph.—Copyright SYDNEY, March 6. There are rumours of efforts making towards the settlement of the strike. The secretary of the Labour Council, conferred with Premier McGowen and the Hon. Carmichael, and subsequently tile Ministers stated there was nothing now to report. The gasmen’s secretary declared tney were still open to negotiate, but if the companies’ intention was to sit back and liglit the men’s intention was the same.

The police and the gas companies’, managers pay tribute to the strikers’ excellent behaviour.

STRIKE MATTERS QUIET. Volunteers Doing Well. ; Early Renewal of Service Hopeful. SYDNEY, March G. ' Strike matters are quiet. An augmented number of free labourers and volunteers are doing steady work. At Manly the. supply is uninterrupted, a full stall of volunteers having replaced the strikers. 1 Though the North Shove Company is prepared to give a fill Isupply, many streets are unlighted owing to the lamplighters b.c.ing out. Ttip city is still gusless. The refilling of tho immense reservoirs is a lengthy process. Business is badly hampered, but prospects fov an early renewal of the service are hopeful. The majority of tho city and inner suburbs residents are without fuel. Householders are driven to all sorts -of shifts. In some instances several houses use one stove, taking turn about, the breakfast hour varying from-very early morning till late in the forenoon, according to the place allotted in the queue.. Other meals are procured as the overworked stove offers opportunity. Cold collations are largely tiic order of the, dav.

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK. Conference to be Held To-day. "Serious Trouble if No Settlement.” What Union Secretaries Say. Received March 7, 9.20 a.m. SYDNEY, Alarch 7. Tho outlook for a settlement of the strike is regarded as brighter. Negotiations between the Government and representatives of tho men were re-open-ed late last night. The Hon. Carmichael stated that letters had been sent to both sides, asking them to meet in the Premier’s room this afternoon to discuss tho situation. Air Carmichael declared that he had no doubt but that both would respond to the Premier’s invitation. In view .of this development the Labour Council has postponed tho discussion on the strike.

The secretary, in View of the import-, ant negotiations to-day, has asked in the Interests of the hion. and all concerned, that the matter bo left in abeyance. He added“lf the .strike is not settled very shortly'there will be serious trouble, which will lend to, chaos and a repetition* of what happened in the Brisbane strike;” ■ “’ S' . , > ‘

The secretary of the Gasmen’s Union, supporting, declared—“lf there was go--rig to be a settlement we are going back with peace and honour. It will be on our own terms, not otherwise.” ... The matter was in good and capable hands, and he was sure tho Union vyould come out on top.

In tho event of a settlement not being reached to-day the council will meet tomorrow afternoon to decide what action is to be taken.

Prior to the representatives waiting on tho Premier tb-dav a mass meeting of strikers will be held. LORD MAYOR AS STOKER. Thinks 9s per Day Little Enough. SYDNEY, March 7. Relating his experience as a stoker, the Lord Mayor declared that it was not child’s play. He should say that if tho men actually receive only 8s a day, there is reasonable margin for the consideration of an increase. He did not think tlie public would object in tho slightest to recognise the reasonableness of paying an extra 2d for gas if bv so doing the men’s demand for 9s could bo conceded.

As an outcome of tho strike the North avclney Council have adopted an, agreement with tile local company to electrically light the borough. The men engaged 011 contract work by the Australian Gaslight Cotnpanv at tlie Alortlake works have struck objecting to the presence of free labourers. Several Unions have resolved to finanei: -n assist the strikers if necessary. Emulating the Lord Alayor, some suburban mayors have offered then* services. The volunteers list includes banking of lie mis, merchants, brokers, and many others whoso hands, like those who have •iheady tried it, are likelv to bear scars being unaccustomed to labour. ’ TWO FREE LABOURERS HUSTLED. Received March 7, 10.35 am c . SYDNEY, March 7. flic first signs of resentment by the strikers against free labourers and volunteers is reported, two men in the vicinity of the Kent Street works being roughly handled. Some stones were thrown, and one man was struck on the head and ininred. Bluejackets in one instance, and the police in the other, came to the rescue.