Page:The Fremantle Wharf Crisis of 1919.djvu/30

THE WHARF CRISIS OF 1919. Mr. McCallum followed with a similar appeal, in which he said that 30,000 workers had stood loyally behind them prepared to go to any extent to see they were successful. It had not been a lumpers’ fight only, but something that affected the whole movement. The terms of settlement provided that the State must relieve any urgent cases of distress, and that there should be continuity of employment. He also announced that the Disputes Committee had insisted upon compensation to the widow and family of the deceased comrade, saying: "The one black spot is that a comrade has made the supreme sacrifice. The Disputes Committee insisted that the widow and children should not suffer. That comrade having laid down his life for the cause, we could not, and dared not, let his dependants suffer."

Each of the members of the Disputes Committee followed with brief addresses. Before once again taking up their work on the wharves, the men stood for a moment bare-headed, in silence, in memory of Tom Edwards.

Then the pick-up followed, and such men as were called for the work available set to with a will, and the wharves were once again a scene of great activity.

LOYALTY OF THE UNIONS.

It has been stated earlier in this narrative that unionists throughout the State rallied to the support of the lumpers, and that the fight became one which involved the welfare of the workers generally. On behalf of the Disputes Committee, Mr. McCallum acknowledged this loyalty in the Press, and said: "Now that the trouble is over we desire to express our appreciation of the loyalty which the whole of the trades unions throughout the State gave to the Disputes Committee. In no previous industrial dispute has there been such a display of solidarity amongst the ranks of the unions, and the committee appreciates the fact that the movement as a whole respects its decisions."

THE FUNERAL OF TOM EDWARDS.

Friday, May 9, was a day of mourning. The previous evening, at another big meeting in the King’s Theatre, Fremantle, the following resolution was carried: "That this meeting of citizens of Fremantle convey its sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the widow and children of the late Tom Edwards, who was done to death on the Fremantle wharf while fighting for the liberty of his comrades." At the request of the heads of the Railway and Tramway Unions the Government agreed 30