BRISBANE STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1369, 21 February 1912, Page 5

BRISBANE STRIKE.

ARGUMENT IN COURT

RIGHT TO FORBID UNION BADGES,

By Teleeraph—Press AisociaUon-Cowrljhl Melbourne, February 19. The Federal Arbitration Court yesterday heard further evidence in the Brisbjne tramway strike ease, or rather the inter-State dispute' alleged to have arisen out of the Brisbane strike.

The secretary of the Melbourne Tramway Company said that his company did not approve of unions, and several times had endeavoured to prevent their formation.

Mr. Badger, of the Brisbane Tramway Company, declared that ho thought it necessary to prevent the men wearing badges, becauso on Eight Hours' Day those not wearing them were subjected to abuse. ,

The President of tho Court (Mr. Justice Higgins) directed the witness to obtain tho documents necessary to prove the validity of his action in forbidding a man to wear what ho chose. Mr. Badger: "We claim a common law right." The President "What nest! Tho common law rigli* is that every man may dress as he chooses."

Mr. Badger: "In'the interests of peace we had a right to prohibit the wearing of an emblem that would subject a nonwearer to abuse." Mr. Badger admitted that it was now tho practice of the company to ask new men not to join the Ausiralian Tramways Jocal union. The hearing was adjourned. (Rec. February 21, 0.30 a.m.) Melbourne, February 20. In the tramway arbitration case, Mr. Badger submitted a telegram showing that the Brisbane tram service was in full swing, and that 350 men were available, and 70 more under instruction. Further evidence was submitted that tram-men not wearing badges were subjected to abuse. MORE PRINTERS RETURNING. (Rec. February 21, 0.30 a.m.) Brisbane, February 20. The strike is ended so far as the Government Printing Office is concerned. The Government has agreed to take back tho men as required under stipulated conditions. The Butchers' Union has blocked the delivery of meat to the Adelaide Company's steamers.

WHARF LABOURERS AND NONUNION CARGO. (Rec. February 20, 8.55 p.m.) Sydney, February 20. The wharf labourers engaged in unloading the steamer Arawatta have ceased vork' on the ground that a quantity of the cargo shipped at Queensland ports *-»s loaded by non-uniouists.