STRIKE EVENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1366, 17 February 1912, Page 12

STRIKE EVENTS.

Writing from Brisbane on February 1, before the determined action bv the police had relieved the situation, a lady correspondent of the "Australasian" says:— "At present we aro under mob rule here, which is enough to euro anyone of socialistic sympathies. Tho streets aro full of red-rib boned rabble, strikers breaking windows, and tho crowd cheering the Queensland police, which is about the worst compliment which could bo paid to the 'force.' Unfortunately, I possess' a red hat aud skirt,' neither of which I shall be able to wear till the trouble is over. I hear the men have had enough strike pay sent them to give each man si." and eightpence, so if they, aro unable ■to provide food for- their families, they enn at least pay a lawyer's fee to ■ settle disputes.' Wc are in a... non-union 'office, so more or less in-a state of sleeping on tin! premises, «nd a regular storeroom set up, as. all shops aro closed and peoplo unable to buy food. Mr. Edward Branscombe is running a concert company, 'The Dandies,' here. They have been very popular, and last night adver-' tised as none 1 of them were unionists, and merely wanted to keep faith with the public, they would hold their show' as usual. However, tho mob decided otherwise and went over and closed the doors. Then formed a procession, congratulating themselves; anon passed on and wrecked a butter factory. Women and children are warned off the streets to-day, but, although wearing no red ribbon, I am still coming to my office, though three jjroans are given every timo tho mob passes here. At a cheap restaurant, where workmen get their meals, 200 men were waiting outside.closoi) doors crying that they were hungry and would sack the place. Peoplo have even gone so far as to remove all furniture out of their shops. Only one baker making bread and customers must carry it themselves; laundries.have, no carts,.and I.anticipate, having to do my own washing. Everyplace of amusement is now closed, anil hooligans and drunken men parade, jostling those who wear no red. Old people and delicate women And the enforced walking most distressing, .and they aro forcibly closing the nlotor garages. Tho unionists even threaten to stop prirate cars and motor-bicycles. Drunk with success, they know not where to pause. Small boys with union badges parade everywhere, even babies are decked in scariet. No trams and a possibility of no trains, and dry weather making itself felt on the crops. Don't wo want a littlo blood-letting, we too-prosperous Australians, that thus we quarrel with the prosperity which has of late been ours? As I wr'ito the mob are attacking a brewery at' the wharves, and the military are out with a gun. Tho delegates raid this morning that nothing had been organised in the way of processions; tho men were 'just going to amuse themselves' thus. Down stairs the clerks arc locking up the cash."