SUGAR WORKERS' STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 34, 3 August 1911, Page 5

SUGAR WORKERS' STRIKE

STRIKERS USING FORCE. MORE PROTECTION ASKED FOR. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Brisbane, August 2. A wire from Cliilders asks for more protection for free laborers and farmers. It states that the strikers are armed and are forcibly removing free laborers, and work on sugar farms has been suspended. A further batch of police was sent to Childers last night. Another report states that a party of strikers forcibly removed four free laborers and disarmed the owner of the farm, who went to the scene with a loaded gun. From Cairns it is reported that the strikers rushed a cottage wliers a number of free laborers were camped, assaulted the inmates, smashed the lamps, windows and furniture, find decamped. One arrest was made. Several smaller acts of intimidation are reported. The strikers have instituted a thorough system of picketing. The secretary of the Labor Federation has received a reply from the Sugar Producers' Association intimating that it is unable to entertain the men's claims, and suggesting that they be submitted to the Wages Board. In the Assembly Mr. Corsar declared that Mr. Hughes' proposal to repeal the duties would destroy the sugar industry and throw thousands out of employment.