THE BRISBANE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1007, 15 February 1912, Page 3

THE BRISBANE STRIKE.

Brisbane, Feb. 13. The Governor issued a proclamation forbidding unlawful assemblies. A copy was served by the police on strike leaders. This was followed by a remarkable mobilisation of police near the Trades Hall. The Bush Mounted Constabulary appeared riding in fours, with their right sleeves rolled up, and holding their batons aloit, They were joined later by a band of mounteds and special constables carring rifles and fixed bayonets. Altogether three thousand mobilised. The strikers abandoned their usual meeting. Melbourne, Feb. 13. The compulsory strike conference sat for two hours in private. An official statement is made that no agreement can be reached on the materials available, and the President has referred the dispute to the Arbitration Court on Friday. Brisbane, Feb. 13. A deputation of Government printing office strikers waited on the Treasurer and made application for reinstatement. They announced their determination to dissociate themselves with the Unions. Mr Barnes, in reply, agreed to take them back, but reserved the right to take such action as he deemed just in regard to the question of forfeiture of privileges. The city is quiet. To-day’s lafge array of police is the result of special instructions from the Premier.

RUMOURED “CABB OUT” OF SEAMEN.

Brisbane, Feb. 14.

In the face of che strong display made by the police, the strikers quietly dispersed to their homes. The following notice was then posted on the Trades Hall: —“In order to foil the plans of those thirsting for the blood of brave men, women, and children engaged in the struggle for freedom, the strike committee requests all our friends to return to their houses.”

Mr Coyne stated he intended to ignore the Government’s proclamation. The strikers would find a time and a place to meet. The steamer Palmer arrived, and its crew left.

The Premier, in an interview with the Merchants’ Association, was iulormed that there was sufficient flour and other foodstuffs in the city to last some time, and other shipments were coming forward. The Premier declares that the strike was one only in name, and any disturbance of ordinary conditions would be rigidly quelled till the strike was declared off.

The secretary of the Employers’ Association reports that the men are steadily returning. Many 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.

The strike committee has issued a notice that in order to prevent conflict with the police the usual morning meetings will not beheld, but important developments will 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.