BRISBANE LABOUR WAR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1357, 7 February 1912, Page 5

BRISBANE LABOUR WAR.

POLICE BY THE THOUSAND. STRIKERS DECLARED READY FOR SIX WEEKS' FiGHT.

DISORDERUNESS SUPPRESSED.

By releeriDh-Prese Assoclalion-Copjrlgit (Rec. February G, 8.35 p.m.) Brisbane, February G. Some of tho outer environs of the city are in a parlous condition owing to the means of communication for regular food supplies being stopped. Tho city itself is more like normal than for some time, the trams are running and many of the shops arc open, lists of which have been taken by the Strikers' Vigilance Committee and forwarded to the Trades Hall. . The police and special constables are in possession of the streets watching the shops to prevent any possible interference. Patrolling is going on everywhere and tho police are strictly enforcing the moveon chuise. Two hundred and fifty more mounted men from out-back, largely consisting of squatters and their sons have arrived to augment the Government forces, bringing with them fifty extra horses, wagons, and stores. There are now two thousand seven hundred foot, and four hundred mounted special constables doing duty, besides eight hundred regular police. Fifty special constables have been dispatched to Ifockhampton. Tho strike leaders are busy organising and strictly repressing any attempts at disorderlies*. A big force of vigilance officers is patrolling and backing the leaders' efforts. A strike bulletin, issued at midnight, states that the Central Government has gone. "We me ruled by a horde of irresponsible, petty tyrants who, in addition to striking us down, .are prepared to shoot us." Mr. Coyne, President of the Strike Committee, states that the strikers have plenty of money coming, sufficient to last twenty thousand strikers for six weeks. The tramway company's supply of coal must be depleted shortly, similarly the railways will be unable to obtain more. Every worker in Queensland, it is reported, is ready to answer the call out. The Australian Workers' Union has called out tho construction workers on five sections of railway, nnd fifteen hundred men are idle. STRIKE LEADER SPEAKS. MEN ADVISED .TO PAY NO RENT. FOOD MUST COME FIRST. Brisbane, February C. The president of the Strike Committee, Mr. Coyne, addressing the strikers; declared that by to-night the whole of the shipping in Queensland would bo paralysed. Hβ read a telegram purporting to come from Townsvllle, stating that the Seamen's Union and fourteen other unions were out. Mr,.-Coyne proceeded to say that anyone returning to work before victory was won would bo a traitor, and would be dealt with as a traitor deserved. It would be no use their going to another State, for they would bo followed. Employers victimising strikers would also )k dealt with. Advised Not to Pay Rent. Mr. Coyne advised tho strikers not to pay any rent while tho strike is on. They must provide food for their families first. Mr. Collins, a member of the committee, referring to Mr. Coyne's statement about the non-payment of rent, declared that there was no intention to repudiate the liability for payment. The rent would be paid when the men returned after therr victory, when there would be work for all. Alleged Coercion, A bulletin, issued by the Strike Committee, states that special constables have been recruited from the public service by coercion. The triun service continued until early iu the evening. The manager (Mr. Badgnr) expects to institute a normal service in a few days. The difficulties in regard to food supplies are far less acute. Most of the grocers are serving in the usual way. A few pickets are observed, but there has been no interference. Tho Rev. Mr. Gibson distributed large quantities of bread to indigent parishioners. The Strike Spreads. At a meeting of delegates of the Townsvillo unions it was decided to strike. All the shops are closed and the streets are crowded. Two constables arrested a man, and strikers attacked them with sticks and stones. The police were Tcinforced, and succeeded in holding their man. Members of the Rockhampton Typographical Society and the butchers will strike on Wednesday. Ipswich Railway Workshops, Tho attempted extension of the strike to Ipswich Was followed by the issuo of a proclamation prohibiting unlawful assemblies in that city. The Minister for Railways (Hon. W. T. Paget) has stated that a hundred and forty-oue men have returned to work at the Ipswich railway workshops. The mine engine drivers at Charters Towers decided by a largo majority that there was ho local reason for joining in the strike. At a meeting of the City Council the Mayor stated that the council employees tfho struck would not be re-employed without his approval. THREE MONTHS' COAL. BRISBANE TRAMWAY SUPPLIES. IG.OOO MINERS OUT. (Rec. February G, 11.15 p.m.) Brisbane, February C. The tramivnys coal supply is sufficient for three months. After the visit of the Railway Commissioner to the Ipswich railway shops 2.'!0 men resumed work. This is alleged to be tho outcome of threats and intimidation. The Commissioner obtained the service?, of a magistrate and ?\vore in the loyalists as special constables and provided thorn with arms. Including those in Hie northern towns and at Chillagoo. the miners who struck to-day number about sixteen thousand. The bulk of the Charters Towcre uiiuore have utruek.

SHIPPING AND THE STRIKE. LABOUR TO CHARTER VESSELS. CARGO SOLD IN SYDNEY. (Rec. February G, 8.35 p.m.) Sydney, February 6. Sydney is indirectly benefiting from the Brisbane strike, as steamers from Melbourne are unshipping the perishable portion of their cargo intended for Brisbane which is being sold here. The balance of the cargoes is being taken back. The shipping companies inform intending passengers to Brisbane that no guarantee can be given as (o when steamers will leave, and decline to book forward. Efforts are being mnde in Labour circles to charter vessels to carry food supplier for the Brisbane strikers. FINANCIAL AID. .•61000 VOTED. (Rec. February G, 8.35 p.ri.) Sydney, February G. The Anstralian Workers' Union has voted ,£IOOO for the Brisbane strike. A TEST CASE. ALLEGED WRONGFUL DISMISSAL. (Rec. February 6, 8.35 p.m.) Brisbane, February G. The test case, in which an ex-tramway employee is suing the Tram way Company for having wrongfully dismissed him, simply because he was n member of the Tramway Employees' Association, has beeii adjourned to Friday. THE APPEAL TO MILITARY AID. Melbourne, February G. The Hon. G; F. I'carce (Minister for Defence), referring to Queensland's request for militia, declared that lie cannot foresee the possibility of military interference over being necessary hi connection with industrial matters in Australia, fo convinced was he that the good sense of the people would always prevail. DEFENCE MINISTER'S VIEWS. Sydney, February G. At a meeting of the United Labourers' Protective Society it wns decided that iii the event of hny of the Brisbane strikers being shot down, to support a general strike of all workers in Australia. AN ARBITRATION CASE? MAKING AN INTER-STATE DISPUTE. Melbourne, February G. The Industrial Registrar of the Commonwealth Arbitration Court lios received two declarations from South Australia in support of a compulsory conference concerning the Brisbane strike. These will bo submitted to the President of the Court (Mr. Justice lliggins) to-day. Melbourne, February 6. Mr. Fisher states efforts will be directed to meeting tho Brisbane trouble in the Federal Arbitration Court. (Rec. February 7, 1.5 a.m.) Melbourne, February G. The solicitor to the , Tramwaymen's Association has returned from Adelaide armed with affidavits showing that the members of the Adelaide Association are debarred from wearing union badges, It is intended to make these affidavits the basis of an application to the Federal Arbitration Coitrt for a compulsory conference to deal with the Brisbane trouble.