11,482 MEN INVOLVED.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 886, 9 May 1903, Page 2

11,482 MEN INVOLVED.

COMBINED FUNDS AMOUNT TO £72,000, By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright, -MELBOURNE, May 8, The railway men have received a cah'e of sympathy from the Auckland Labor Council. There are 11,182 men involved in tite dispute. The combined funds of the four Unions amount to £72,000. A prominent railway officer says there will he no strike. In the event of tite members of the. Executives being dismissed, they will carry matters to the Appeal Boat'd and finally to the Supreme. Court,

ULTIMATUM FROM THE MEN,

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. Received-4.12 p.tn., May 8. ‘ -MELBOURNE, May 8. The executive of the Engine-drivers Association this morning forwarded a letter to the Commissioner of Railways, asking to be definitely informed whether or not, the Government had Hie courage to stand by its orders as lawful orders, adding : “We presume that Government finds , as legal position unsound, and desires Parliament retrospectively to validate its illegal acts. As such an unfair course is intended, we have to think seriously of the step we hope to avoid. We have full authority, and warn you that you have driven us to the only course open to us, and that all our men will cease work ou Saturday, at noon, unless the ordets which the Government have issued are withdrawn by live' o’clock .this afternoon,”

STRIKE TO COiM.MENCE AT MIDNIGHT.

AUTHORITIES REFUSING TO BOOK PASSAGES, INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN .VICTORIA, By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. Received (i.-lfi pan,* May 8. MELBOURNE, May, 8.It is now stated that unless the Government gives way, the strike commences at midnight. 10-nighl a

The Cabinet has been sitting since noon, discussing the situation. 'J’iie Government have offered two months’ double salary to all employees remaining loyal. The railway authorities are refusing to hook passengers to stations not reached before midnight. All goods traffic lias been refused. There is intense excitement in the city.

GOVERNMENT REFUSE TO GIVE WAY, By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. Received 6.50 p.m., May Bth, MELBOURNE, May 8. 5.12 p.m,—The strike is now inevitable. The Cabinet, in reply to the En-gine-drivers’ Association’s letter, informed tho men that, the orders cannot bo withdrawn.. The Premier states that all men leaving duty will forfeit the right to pensions or compensation. Received May 8, 6.50 >p.m. .MELBOURNE, May 8. The strike is now inevitable. 'the Cabinet, in reply fo the EngineDrivers’ Association’s letter, informed the men that the orders cannot be withdrawn. It is understood that the strike will commence at midnight.

A MINISTER’S INTERFERENCI

CRICK CRITICISES O’SULLIVAN By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. Reeeivedl.2 a.ui., March it. SYDNEY, May 8. Mr O’Sullivan’s reference to the Victorian railway dispute is adversely criticised in many quarters. Mr Crick, when asked his opinion, depicted his colleague “as a man who broke out at any time, in any place, on any subject.”

THE GOVERNMENT ARRANGEMENTS,

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. MELBOURNE, May 8. Government have arranged a train service in the event of a strike. No trains will be run at night. Suburban traffic will be restricted to three hours in the morning, and four in the afternoon. When tramways serve suburbs trains will be discontinued. The speed will be reduced by one-third. There will be only one train daily to Sydney, occupying six hours longer. Forty-eight hours will he consumed between (Melbourne and Adelaide.

Tbe Department can count on sixty engineers and the same number of firemen, consisting chiefly of men retired on pension.