BRISBANE STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1364, 15 February 1912, Page 5

BRISBANE STRIKE.

DELAYED "TRUMP CARD. ,,

MORE REFUSALS TO JOIN GENERAL STRIKE.

UNIONISTS ALLOWED TO RESUME WORK. By Tclenrairti-Press AGsociation-Copyrlebt (Kec. February 11, !).:!() p.m.) Brisbane, February It. The strikers are quiet. 'I'lcinomloiia crowds gathered at the Trades Jlall, but no announcement was made.

The Strike Committee has not yet played Ihe trump card promised for Wednesday.

The Newcastle Labour, Council has considered the request to join in a general strike, but has decided that such an action would not assist tho Brisbane Unions. The police patrols to-day consisted of the. ordinary force. The members of several unions have been openly released from the strike lxmil. Mr. Coyne, die strike leader, declines to say upon what terms. The employers are. generally taking the men back and asking no questions. CARGO STILL BLOCKED. POSITION OF SHIPPING,. (li«c. February 15, 0.20 a.m.) Sydney, February 14. Thn steamer Pilbarra has brought tack her lirisbane cargo, which sho was unable to discharge owing to the strike. None of the shipping companies is accepting cargoes fnv Hrisbauc, although they are booking passengers. "IMBECILITY AND BARBARISM." LABOUR MINISTER'S STRONG COMMKNT. (Rec. February 15, 0.20 a.m.) Sydney, February U. Mr. Griffith, State Minister for Works, states that tho defeat of the Labour Government in South Australia is a direct result of the Brisbane strike. South Australia was paralysed by the recent strikes there, and tho fanners were stampeded by tho possible extension of the lirisbanc trouble throughout Australia. The papers tolil the people thai Labour Govcrninenti brought about strikes, and henco tho debacle.

Sir, Griffith added that every prominent Labour politician regarded the strike as an obsolete weapon. A general striko would bo as nice a blond of imbecility and barbarism as it would bo possible to find. COAL TRIMMERS' SUPPORT. Newcastle, February 11. The coal trimmers have decided not lo handle any coal destined for Brisbane. TRADES HALL NOTICE. Brisbane, February 11. In face of the strong display made by the police, the strikers quietly dispersed to their homes. 'Die following notice was posted in the Trades Hall:— In order to foil tho plans of those thirsting for the blood of brave men, women, and children engaged in the struggle for freedom, tho Strike Committee requests all our friends to return to their houses. Mr. Coyne, president of the committee, slated that it was intended to ignore th<) Government's proclamation. The strikers would find the time and the place to meet. SEAMEN TO BE CALLED OUT. Brisbane, February 11. The Strike Committee has issued a notice that in order to prevent conflict with the police the usual morning meetings will not bo held, but that important developments would be announced at a public meeting to-night.

It is rumoured that a general call out of seamen is contemplated in order to paralyse transport. MEN RETURNING TO WORK. Brisbane, February 14. The secretary of the Employers' Association reports that men are steadily returning. Many firms who started short-handed on Monday are now fully equipped. Sittings of the Full Court have been postponed till Wednesday, owing to members of the staff and some counsel acting as special constables. TRANSPORT WORKERS' DECISION. Sydney, February U. A meeting of representatives of the transport workers resolved that, while in sympathy with a union or group of unions confined to one industry in resisting oppressive conditions, it was not in sympathy with the principles of a great strike, because it was illogical to injuro indiscriminately and destroy amicable- relations. It was further resolved that it be treated as an offence if any member ceases work or boycotts any vessel in sympathy with tho Brisbane strike.

A STRIKE IN NAME ONLY. Brisbane, February If. The Premier (Mr. Denham), in an interview wilh the Merchants' Association, informed it that (here was sufficient flour, and other foodstuffs in the city to last for some time, and other shipments were coming forward. The Premier declares that the strike is only a. strike in name. Any disturbance of ordinary conditions would be rigidly quelled till the strike is declared off. ONE WEEK AFTER THE CALL. BUSINESS RESUMES. (From the Brisbane "Daily Mail" of February 7.) Yesterday saw the closo of tho first week of the first simultaneous general strike—the industrial upheaval of Queensland. The city, to a large, extent assumed an aspect more in keeping with normal conditions than has been the case since la&t Wednesday. Many business places vera re-opened. Then , were shopkeepers, who despite Hie lack of usual assistance, invited custom ns heretofore, restaurants, in many ensos, depleted to a large extent of waitresses, but well supplied with food, were crowded at rnfal times; nnd street traffic was resumed in a measure that relieved the barrenness which had befallen Queen Street previously. There was a restricted tram service, ns on tlfc previous day, while a number of cabbies reappeared on tho scene. This general, if abbreviated resumption of industry in Brisbane, iintnrnlly made a bis difference, and there was a widespread feeling of lelief in the coiiiinuuitv.

Vol. nU'lioiigli if wn? nftcn rpport.n! to the nintrnry, (lie l)i« strike was not <thl-t-d. mid iiriiuiid I lie Tradrs' IFiill Iniiiilmls of unionists spout. I ho dny, ilifciif--?-iii^ , . hiipinj;. (iiips.-iiij;. otc. The Strike* CoiMTiiil.lcP remained, as usual, in secret: ennelave nil dny Innj. prepared tn deal with enierjen(ie=. Olficials, when appro,irhnrl. «-rrr as nptiim'.'i': nt ever, no<\ ftill talked roolill'.nHy n( vjotnty ,{"n|irr or later. • Tkcy apptaied to bt quite un-

dismayed by the pailinl .resumption of liiumc* and industry in the city.

Tin-: jfOHNixc; mjujoTix. . -I'liere was 11,,. usual massed (jadicrin"l mill iifiniil 'lurliol Street, at 111 p.m., "hen the Mrike leader. Mr. .1. 11. Coyne, •»1.1i.A.. appeared at the I'rnnt window l>« announce II loriiiiiK's news. Mo »'»■ l-wil ii Icleu'iain fruiii Koililu.tnpit.il. I" the cllcct that ill a mass meeting Hi'! workers ol that city hud decided oil >i general .strike. Four <hoiisuiu! had been railed mil, l,ii( dm Imlihors nnil "1 vims" wore exempt lill mmi, „„ Wednesday, lit' Ilifii read a message from Houen, In 1 >'■ olliTt (hat- th,. walersido workers there "would start the. holiday" al noon "ii thai, liny. Mr. Coyne further aiii.oiiucod llnil a if.ply ha,! ) Hrll m . ( .j v( >,| (• tin- cable iHv.-siip, si-iit In Kn-h.nd Inst week. This said I Il.lt. I lie message "ill been passed on In I lie Traiispnrl I'cdornliun, with the promise of an appeal; it also wished lh» loeal slrikers success. Continuing, Mr. Coyne, denied Iliat there hail l.ecn any weakening of the solidarity of the unions. These «-pr« li« alleged far stronger now than when I liny stalled. Several other speeches followed. MUCH ASSISTANCE OFFF.RED. Vostcrday the I'reniier (Mr. Uenliam) sniil that tlipre was very little to ropurl. regarding the. .strike. The (iovornnienl wns, however, determined flint nothing should bo left undono to inaiiilaiii order, and to permit Ihp lininlerrupU'd carryiiijf on of Inide nnd cominorw. Jlr. IH'lili;\m 1 nilded Hint lie had Ih'Cii inundated with tillers of assistance from residents of Brisbane and elsewhere, who were, pronared not only to lip. sworn in as special constables, but also lo lend horses, vehicles, and motor-cars, and render any other assistance to support the Government in its efforts to preserve the freedom of the people. Questioned as to the possibilities of a settlement', Mr. Denliam replied: "I know nothing of a settlement. 1 tried, unavailiiißly last week. All I have, to do is to preserve law and order." WIFE AND CHILD FIRST. Amoug the applicants for enrolment as special constables in Tonivong the other day was a young man who wore a red ribbon. The enrolliiiß officer pointed out that he was a unionist. "Yes," replied the. yonng man; "I an; a unionist, and I have always believed in unionism, but. this sort of thing is hooliganism. I have a wife and child to protect, and I am Roing to help to protect them and others." lie was sworn in.