BRISBANE STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1354, 3 February 1912, Page 6

BRISBANE STRIKE.

SERIOUS OUTBREAK,

A CROWD DISPERSED.

CHARGE OF MOUNTED TROOPERS,

POLICE AND STRIKERS INJURED.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright

(Rec. February 2, 9 p.m.)

Brisbane, February 2.

The 'decision of the authorities not to •allow the usual procession to-day wns responsible for the first serious outbreak. A crowd of 8000 strikers gathered at the Trades Hall, with the intention of parading. Mr. Bowman, leader of tho Labour party, arriving, announced that the procession was forbidden, and tho announcement created much dissatisfaction.

In the meantime' a strong body of foot police, ■ carrying rifles with bayonets fixed, and mounted troopers armed with swords, came upon tho scene. ChiefInspector Urqnhart, ■ in chargo of tho police, informed the crowd that the rifles wore loaded with ball cartridge, and ordered them to. disperse. Tho bulk of tho gathering took the, hint, and left, 1 the union leaders also using their influence to prevent trouble. Subsequently, attempts wero made to re-form the procession, and Mrs. Miller, a prominent Labourite, at the head of -several hundreds, including many women, attempted to break through the police ranks; the women were allowed to pass, and the police then closed up.

The crowd refusing to disperse,' tho mounted troopers charged, the police also freely using their batons. Tho / excitement ran high, but eventually the crowds were broken up, and the streets in the vicinity of the Trades Hall were swept clew, and order-was restored.

During tho melee two policemen and a plain-clothes constable wore slightly injured, i and several strikers received injuries.

THE POLICE ARMED.

COMMISSIONER PULLED OFF HIS HORSE.

CROWD CHARGED THRICE,

(Rec. February 2, 10.10 p N .m.) Brisbane, February 2.

During the height of tho trouble, while tho Police Commissioner, Mr. Cahill, was directing operations, a striker grablied hie leg, and dragged him from his horse. The Commissioner was unhurt, and quickly Temounted. His assailant escaped. Three, hundred , police, mounted and on foot, and including many special constables, were detailed to prevent th» procession. When the crowd attempted to march into Market Square they found it barred by police. Fifty of the police in the front rank'were carrying rifles with fix-

Ed bayonets. , ,' Though the larger portion of the crowd dispersed, several hundreds of disappointed and angry men persisted in. their efforts to induce the police to al-

low them to pass. . 1 ' The union leaders succeeded in quietening tlie men. The police showed gTcat tact and patience. After dispersing, the frowds gathering in tho side street re-formed, .and, under Mrs. Stiller showed much more determination in.fi .second attempt to form a pro-

The police charged three times before they succeeded in l .clearing the danger zone. They met- with considerable resistance, sticks and stones being freely used, jAfterwards the police paraded the main streets, dispersing; any signs of a gathering of unionists, and non-unionists were alike,compelled -to scatter. Hundreds watched the "scenea from balconies, cheering and Shooting, - .

Besides '.the'police engaged, largo detachments woreh eld in reserve.

The authorities announce : that order will be kept at all costs, and every attempt at lawlessness will.be rigorously' suppressed. '

A deputation" of Labour members in the afternoon' asked ;tho\Premier(Mr. Denham) to' callVParliainent togethor, to try to settle tli'e. strike, and also td allow the procession.

Mr. Denham replied that until law and order were restored, ho could do nothing. He criticised the strike leaders for holding up supplies, and added that if the Government could not ensure the safety of the people some other Government would have to do it.

| SHORTACE IN FOOD. HOTELS REFUSE TO TAKE GUESTS. SHIPPING DISLOCATED. *' .(Rec. February 2, 11.5 p.m.) • ' ~ Brisbane, February 2. Already food supplies. are beginning to get scarce. Hotels are refusing to take boarders, not for want of room, but from fear of a supplies. No fresh meat is available, and there is a great run on. tinned goods. Owing to the non-delivery of bread, largo crowds gather round the bakers' shops olamonring for supplies. Many of the well-to-do class of people are leaving tho city till the' trouble is over. The committee of the Stock Exchange has decided to closo till further notice. The Department of Navigation has notified that owing to the strike stopping the ooal supplies, tho Moreton Bay pilot service' is dislocated, and it is impossible to supply shipping for Brisbano or Eastern ports with pilots. ThcO rient Company will not 6end tho Orsova on to Brisbano owing to tho strike.

MILITARY AID SOUGHT. MR. FISHER'S ANSWER. (Rec. "February 3, 0.20 a.m.) Melbourne, February 2. It is stated that the Queensland Government hag asked the Federal Government for military aid. Mr. Fisher, the Foderal Prime Minister, stated that he had received messages from the Queensland Government and tho Labour leaders, but declined to discloso any information. Itis reported in other quarters that the military aid asked for has been refu6"d. Mr. Fisher stated that from private sources he had learned that only a very small section was responsible for the disturbances. BUSY TIME FOR THE POLICE. Brisbane, February 2. Tho police had a busy, day, having frequent brushes with tho strikors, who were making demonstrations against tho shops where employees continue to work. Tho crowd tvm easily dispersed.. The police were only compelled to use their batons in the beer-lorry episode. There are indications that feeling is becoming intensified, and more mounted polios tint being drafted.

Late last night the police had a conple more brushes with the crowd, mostly youths, which was making a demonstration against non-union shops. The polico used their batons and the mounted men drew their swords and charged tho mob, which dispersed. Tho polico refused to permit a procession to-day, fearing violence. TRAMWAY COMPANY FIRM. Brisbane, February 2. The managOT of the Tramway Company denies the statement that he is prepared to allow men to wear their union badges. Tho company remains firm against the concession. RAILWAY MEN RESUME. Brisbane, February 2. Forty railway men have resumed work. They stated that they left work under a misapprehension. A deputation of engine men and guards have waited on tho Commissioner of Railways and assured him of their loyalty. Tho suburban train service will be suspended at 7 o'clock to-night. STRIKERS AND ARBITRATION. JUDGE CONSIDERING ACTION. (Rec. February 2, 11.5 p.m.) Melbourne, February 2. Mr t Justice Higgins is watching events in Brisbane, and will decido to-morrow if the Federal Arbitration Court is to move in the matter. A SYDNEY RUMOUR. (Rec. February 3, 1.15 a.m. ) Sydney, February 2. News , from Brisbane is hours behind. At tho time of the latest report, the city was quiet. An unconfirmablo and improbable rumour is in circulation here that the strike has been settled.