THE UNIONIST MOVEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 181, 30 January 1912, Page 5

THE UNIONIST MOVEMENT.

AN ALLEGED ATTACK. CRISIS IN BRISBANE. ly w*Dle—Press Ass«»»ti»H—Copyright Brisbane, January 29. After a procession in the streets and a big demonstration in the park, at which the union leaders delivered fighting speeches in favor of strikes, a conference representing forty-three unions last night resolved that the action of the tramway company in prohibiting badges constituted an attack on unionism, which was recognised under statute law, and, unless a satisfactory settlement was reached meantime, a general cessation of work would take place on Tuesday evening. The result was greeted with enthusiasm by a great crowd which had gathered outside the hall. Mr. Bowman, leader of the Labor Party, in a speech, said the fight wag not alone for the tramwaymen but for the whole union movement. The Employers' Federation played a strong part in the trouble, and the unionists were going to teach them that if they were going to stand behind the tramway company the unionists as a body would also take a hand. The manager of the company declared that the men had appealed to the law, and the company had decided to let the law settle the dispute. The Tramway Company has altogether secured eighty-five new hinds. The engineers at the power-house teased work last night. The manager stated that the men's action would' cause a little inconvenience, but it would be overcome. HELP FROM SYDNEY. Received 29, 9.15 p.m. Sydney, January 29. The Tramway Employees' Union voted £IOO to the Brisbane strikers, and authorised a levy on members till the trouble is ended. WORK MUST CEASE ON TUESDAY. SAFEGUARDING THE PUBLIC. Received 29, 9.30 p.m. Brisbane, January 29. The executive of the combined unions has issued a manifesto in which it states j it will do all in its power to fully proI vide for hospitals and benevolent insti- ; tutions and not interfere with measures usually taken to safeguard the public, | such as sanitation; but all other work .wherein the forty-three unions represented are engaged must cease on Tuesday night. STRIKERS' PLACES FILLED. GENERAL UPHEAVAL FEARED. Received 30, 1 a.m. Brisbane, January 29. The tramway manager claims that the power-house is again fully manned and working smoothly. He has not replied to the men's letter suggesting a conference. The business houses are laying in extra supplies, fearing a general strike. The Ministers, concerned at the outlook, have interviewed both sides.