LITHGOW'S LITTLE WAR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 60, 1 September 1911, Page 5

LITHGOW'S LITTLE WAR

UNIONISTS v. NON-UNIONISTS. BOTH SIDES WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Sydney, August 31. From early morning yesterday Litligow was in a state of turmoil. There were several hostile demonstrations against non-unionists, hooting and jeering crowds accompanying them and their police escorts to and from work. Nothing serious happened till nightfall, when a strong force of police was escorting the band 1 to their quarters. The crowd had now swelled to large proportions, and made a rush. The police, freely using their batons, drove the mob back, and the non-unionists, taking advantage of the breathing space, scuttled to their quarters, with the crowd in pursuit, and managed to gain safety. Amidst the turmoil Mr. Dooley, member for the district, mounted a parapet, and in a speech, which was frequently interrupted by questions as to why a Labor Premier hod sent the police against unionists, urged the strikers to refrain from violence. This had 1 a quietening effect, and the crowd dispersed. Four men were arrested, and allowed bail. Both sides are determined. Mr. lloskins declares that he will make no further overtures to the strikers, while the latter swear tliey will not resume work while non-unionists are retained.

The union secretary declares that the disturbances were caused by irresponsible youths, not members of the union. Numbers of women took a prominent part in the demonstrations. THE GOVERNMENT HECKLED. Sydney, August 31, The Government was heckled in the Assembly over sending police to Lithgow. Mr. ITolman admitted they were sent by the Government's authority. IMr. Doolev, in the course of his speech, said the strikers declared that they were going to fight to a finish. The Broken Hill miners have voted £ 100 to the strike fund. A DYNAMITE OUTRAGE. MEN CALLED OUT BY UNION. Received 31, 10.10 p.m. Sydney, August 31. An indignation meeting at Lithgow protested against the police using their batons. The Mayor moved a resolution protesting against bringing free laborers publicly before the crowd,' which, he said, was responsible for the riots. This was carried enthusiastically. It was also resolved that there can be no permanent prosperity until the State or some reasonable person controls the iron indnstrv.

Lite last night a dynamite outrage was perpetrated at the house of one of the free laborers. A dynamite cap was placed, under the door, the only damage resulting being the shattering of the door and the displacement of a quantity of furniture.

To-day the Engine-drivers' and Firemen's Union called out the men. Of 35 employed, only >l4 obeyed the call, and this did not cause a complete stoppage.

GRIPPED BY SOCIALISM. HOW NEW INDUSTRIES ARE ENCOURAGED. Discussing the strike position in Litligow oil Friday last, Mr. Iloskins, proprietor of Australia's first ironworks, said: "Lithgow is now in a state of siege, and it has been taken possession of by a few Socialists.

"A fortnight ago." he continued, "some of the men who were working for us were told that they would have to clear out of their houses, and, in fact, two men did clear out. The next move was that bread, meat and groceries were stopped, and then the barbers were not permitted to shave or cut hair for nonunionists. One poor non-unionist hud to get his wife to cut his hair, and after the operation he was the most pecu-liar-looking creature you ever saw. "At present the Socialists have a committee and send for a tradesman," added Mr. Iloskins. ''He appears before them, and they instruct, him that he must, not supply non-unionists. A few days ago a' newsagent supplying us with newspapers intimated that he could no longer supply the papers to the ironworks. Therefore we are sending to Sydney for a lot of goods that should be bought in Lithgow. It is very hard on the storekeepers, as those in work are prohibited from dealing with us, and storekeepers are expected to keep those who are not working until after the strike.

"One peculiar feature in the business is that the co-operative stores are likely to make a small,fortune, as they are supplying people whom other storekeepers are instructed not to supply." Referring to the latter portion of the statement the manager of the Co-opera-live Society said to-day: " 1 give it an absolute denial, and I will challenge Mr. lloskin to prove his words, or forfeit CIOO. We are serving shareholders of the, society only. What reason has Mr. Iloskins to bring in the Co-opera-tive Society at all, as lie knows very well that the committee of management deals with the whole affair?"