A MAZE OF STRIKES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3796, 5 April 1913, Page 7

A MAZE OF STRIKES.

N.S. WALES’ UNFORTUNATE POSITION.

RAILWAY TROUBLE CRIPPLING TRADE. >

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT] SYDNEY. April 4. Efforts were continued late last night to settle the railway strike, but proved futile. Important developments are probable to-day. At a mass meeting the men unanimously rejected Mr Carmichael’s proposals, which had the Railway Commissioners’ sanction, that they return to work pending reference to a special wages board. The strike lias extended to the Sydney goods sheds. Fifty weighbridge clerks have struck. Lassiter and Co.’s sheeters have vacated their posts. It is reported that the shunters are on the verge of coming out also. It has been decided to call out the employees at Alexandria yards. This would completely cripple Sydney’s goods traffic. The railway clerks decided to cease work if asked to dp strikers’ duties. The Newcastle men have been asked to join with the object of gaining their support, as at present goods are conveyed by sea to Newcastle, and, thence forwarded north and west by rail. It is understood that there is no present intention of strikers to seek an extension of the trouble to the passenger traffic, but the men make no secret of the fact'tbat if they, are in duffieulties the guards may cease. The Trolly and Draymen’s Union has been asked to support by refusing to cart goods to and from the railway yards. The despatch of goods at country stations is at a standstill. Immense quantities are standing in trucks and piled in sheds, unguarded from the weather. The sheeters joining in the strike is making it impossible to obtain covers. The dislocation of city business is widespread and serious. It is also feared that unless there is an early settlement many country towns will be placed in an uneviable position by want of supplies. The city fruit and vegetable supply is threatened. The milling trade is jeopardised, j and there is a possibility of many I employees being thrown idle for want j of wheat supplies front the country. J The latest development of the Barrier strike is that all men who had j remained in the employment- of the j Silverton Tramway Company have been called out, and the promises picketed. Before work was stopped several truckloads of chaff reached town, temporarily relieving the position as far as feeding a large umnber of mine horses is concrened, but the famine in this and a number of other commodities cannot long be staved off.

The clerks have fallen into line with the strikers and have formed a Union. The Minister of Railways asked the Commissioner to meet the wishes of the men in every way possible. The Commissioner objects to the award of the propoesd wages hoard being made retrospective. This is one of the stumbling blocks in the way of settlement. As a result- of the Southern coal miners’ strike, Hughes’ woollen mills at Botany have been closed. The Northern miners’ delegate board has struck a lew of 21 per cent to support the Southerners.

THE FEVER SPREADING.

OTHER- RAILWAY YARDS AFFECTED.

(Received April 4, 9 .55 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 4. The shunters under the Darling Harbor Board have resolved to cease work. The shunters of the Sydney, Alexandria and Clyde yards haVe decided likewise, but, in order to avoid inconveniencing the public, as far as possible the shunters have decided to continue to work the passenger trains. They have a two-fold reason i'or the strike. They want 10s per day instead of 9s as at present, and they sympathise with the porters’ strike. Tiie President of the Council of Railways and Tramway Unions of New South Wales lias convened a meeting of the Council to consider the position. No date has yet been fixed for the meeting. There seems a possibility of the w&shersout, stationary engine drivers, crane drivers, firemen, fuelmen, and pumpers joining the strike unless the hearing of their grievances by the AA’ages Board is expedited. , The secretary of the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Union has communicated with the Department requesting, in view of the delav in the hearing of grievances, that the men be paid immediately the rates provided in the Engine Drivers’ Award of March 26.

The northern colliery proprietors to-day. considered a letter from the Newcastle Colliery Employees' Federation requesting a conference and a settlement of the Lambton B. and Stockton Barliole trouble within seven davs.

■The proprietors decided to replydlmt they were unable to grant a conference while those collieries are idle, but they are prepared to submit the dispute to a local Board of Arbitrators for each colliery, work to be resumed as soon as the proceedings of the Board begin.

Theproprietors also favor an extension of the system of settling disputes by local arbitration, each colliery to have a similar Board.

The proprietors request the miners to take a- ballot regarding the latter proposal. The position in the South Coast mining strike is unchanged. The conference suggested by Mr Carmichael will be held next week'.

The New Zealand Federation of Labor has cabled £2OO to'assist the South Coast strikers.

It is officially stated that assistance from other quarters is very encouraging..

POSITION AT BROKEN HILL. OFFICIALS’ HOUSES PICKETED. (Received April 5, 1.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 4. The Broken Hill strike is continuing. The Jameses of the officials of the Silvorton Tramway Company are picketed . v The pickets intercepted tradesmen, not allowing them to deliever the necessaries of life. They allowed milk to be delivered at one house where there was a sick child. The service of the Silverton trains is still-hung up. Communication outside the Broken Hill is confined to motors and bullock teams. So far none of the mines are affected. The Tramway Company states that it will not object to employees joining the union if cer.tan officers are exempted.