REPORTERS ON STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2268, 13 August 1908, Page 1

REPORTERS ON STRIKE.

REFUSE TO RETORT PARLIAMENT.

'With strikes so prominent in tho public mind, it is interesting to rend that -tho members of tho Press Onllory of tho West Australian refused to work in a body on Thursday last, ns a protest against tho unsuitable accommodation provided for them. ihoy luivo thus achieved the distinction ol bringing about the first strike ol journalists that has occurred in Australia. Ever sinco tho opening ol the now Parliament Buildings in Perth live years ago, protests have been made by -the representatives of tho morning papers against the fact that tho accommodation provided for tho journalists working in tho House has been entirely inadequate. A crisis was reached this wools. On Wednesday tho loaders of tho staffs of tho .'‘Perth Morning Herald” and “West Australian” obtained permission from the Speaker, pending tho decision of tho House Committee on the following day, for tho uso of certain rooms adjacent to tho Press Gallery. When the reporters arrived at tiio House on Wednesday afternoon, however, they wore informed that tho Committoe had rofusod the further use of these rooms, and learned later on that a policeman on duty had been instructed by tho Usher of tho Black Hod to eject the reporters should they take possession of itlicni. Accordingly, when the debate on the Addross-in-Reply was resumed by Mr Piosse, tho leaders -of-- the staffs of the morning papers withdrew their men from the gallery, and sent a-formal intimation to tho Speaker that tho proceedings would not bo reported until a more satisfactory arrangement had boon made. Now tho members of that Parliament find themselves in the curious position of having their words of wisdom absolutely unreported. The Ad-dress-in-lteply debate continued the whole of Thursday until 10 p.in. with the Press Gallery ouito empty. The attitudo of tho reporters, who are unanimous, is supported by the editors and proprietors of their journals. Members, it is added, show a marked disinclination to continue the dobato during the absence of tho hard-work-ing chroniclers who furnish their speeches for them. It is considered probable that when Parliament resumes oil Tuesday, the House Committee will have yielded, and allowed tho reporters to use the rooms in question to “write up their copy.”