BRISBANE TRAM STRIKE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 435, 31 January 1912, Page 5

BRISBANE TRAM STRIKE.

TRAMS CEASE RUNNING

RAILWAYMEN MAY PARTICIPATE. Cy Telegraph.—l'rcss Association.-Copyright Received January 31, 8.25 a.m. Brisbane, This Day. The trams stopped running early last night, and will not run to-day. Shortly before 6 o'clock last night an order was issued closing the hotels which are open to-day. Everything is being done to maintain law and order. Arrangements have been made for the bread and milk supplies to go on uninterruptedly, though there is no delivery of bread. The farmers are participating in the strike, and there indications that the trouble may spread to the railways. A meeting of the Employees' As sociation was held late last night, five hundred attending. It was resolved that members of the association and any other employees who choose, should cease work to-day. The association includes all grades of railwaymen and a number of signalmen. A BIG BUSINESS. Received January 31, 9.40 a.m. Brisbane, This Day. The gas and electric supplies so far are not interfered with and the companies anticipate no trouble. A number of vessels left port partially loaded. In some cases the men's notices do not expire till eight this morning. Many strikers are wearing red ribbons.

A number of meetings were held during yesterday. A big gathering last night was addressed by Mr Coyne, member of the Assembly, and president of the Australian Labour Federation; and other leaders. Mr Coyne declared they intended to fight to a finish and appealed to the strikers to preserve the strictest discipline. If they kept sober and preserved order this was going to be a big business. Those who could not see its magnitude now would see it in a week or two. It is announced that funds are already coming in freely. To-day cables are to be despatched all over the civilised world on behalf of the strikers.

A monster demonstration has been arranged for to-day. The Police Department is receiving hundreds of applications from men willing to serve as special constables.

The Premier and Commissioner of Railways hurriedly returned from Sydney, where they were visiting.

The Ministers worked hard in the interests of a settlement, and are leaving nothing nndone to secure peace and good order. The police report that the men's behaviour is so far excellent.