THE BRISBANE STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 186, 5 February 1912, Page 5

THE BRISBANE STRIKE.

AUTHORITIES CHANGE THEIR TACTICS. t • POLICE GIVEN A FREE HAND. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Brisbane, February 3. Later reports to some extent minimise the strikers' part in yesterday's disturbance, and show that it was the' outcome of a determination on the part of the authorities to assert their power to maintain law and order. Previously the odds were too strong to permit of keeping the crowds strictly in order, bat large accessions to the police force, With the addition of hundreds of special constables, have placed the Government in a position to take firmer action. The Premier gave the Commissioner of Polke a free hand to deal with the situation, and the police did the work of clearing the streets well and effectually and, on the whole, tactfully. Considering the many brushes with the strikers Tery little damage was done beyond a few broken beads and minor injuries. The strikers were surprisea try ine change in tactics, and resented being hustled from pillar to post, but in only a few instances attempted anything! like revolutionary violence, though in isolated instances use was made of stick and •tones. The strikers as a body claim that any real resistance which did occur was caused by a small section of the rowdy element The Premier states that he applied to the Commonwealth Government for military aid if found necessary, but no reply was received. He informed a deputation of labor members, who asked him to call Parliament together to consider the question of purchasing the tramways and other matters connected with the strike, that he had no intention of calling Parliament together in order to aeek coercive powers, as there was sufficient power given in the Statute Book to secure the restoration of law and order, and he intended to use it.

GOVERNMENT FLOUR DEPOTS TO BE OPENED UP. STRIKE COMMITTEE ASSISTING POLICE. TpiRTEEK HUNDRED RAILWAYMAN COME OUT. Sydney, February 2. The Orient Company was last night informed that a pilot was available at Brisbane, and therefore will despatch tite Oraova to-day. She will land passengers only. Brisbane, January 3. The master makers having been deserted by their employees are unable to supply the demand for bread and flour. The Government has decided to open a depot for the supply of flour at cost price. The Home Secretary announces that mass meetings in the streets and squares will no longer be tolerated. Good order has been maintained as the result of the vigilance of the police. A number of shops re-opened last night, and a few 'buses are plying. The strike committee is lending active assistance to the police in keeping order, and has appointed a number of officials, wearing white badges. It is rumored that a number of influential people, including Archbishop Donaldson, are endeavoring to arrange a settlement. The Premier states that negotiations are pending, but nothing definite has yet been arranged. The Railway Department will discontinue all night trains. A further batch of employees have resumed, but on the other hand 1300 men employed at the Ipswith railway shops responded to the call, and came out.

According to advices received by the union leaders, the tramwaymen in the southern capitals are prepared to obey a call if asked. ,

POSITION QUIET. | BUTCHERS' SHOPS OPENED. ' THE COMMONWEALTH AND TROOPS. Received 4, 5.5 p.m. V Brisbane, February 3. The strike position was quiet yesterday, and there was no attempt at a procession. Many shops, including the butchers', were open, and a brisk trade resulted. Meat was taken from the slaughterhouses and sold under police protection. A reply, received through the Gover-nor-General, to the Government's application, for military, states that while the Commonwealth Government is prepared to fulfil its obligations to the States if occasion arises, it does not admit the right for any call of assistance under the circumstances, which should properly be dealt with by the police forces of the State. The condition of affairs, in the opinion of Federal Ministers, does not warrant the request being complied with.

RED RIBBONS. VIGILANCE COMMITTEES FORMED. SHOPS OPEN DAY AND NIGHT. THE GOVERNOrITpROCLAMATION. Received 5, 12.20 a.m. Brisbane, February 4. Another quiet day. The city was thronged on Saturday night, and the Socialist red ribbon was much in evidence. The police, on foot and mounted, were everywhere in evidence, and a strong force kept the people moving. Whenever the nucleus of a crowd was formed it was quickly broken up. Over 2000 special constables have been enrolled, but so far their services have not been largely utilised. Vigilance committees have been formed IB various parts of the city.

The Governor has Issued a proclamation calling on law-abiding citizens to desist from participating in unlawful as-

sembles, and calling them to assist in preserving law and order. The Government has suspended the part of the Factories and Shops Act relating to early closing, thus enabling the shopkepers to sell any hour of the day or night. The suburban train service is entirely suspended to-day. The Railway Department has advised the State that there is no general strike at the Ipswich railway shops, as only fourteen foremen and fifty-one men are out.

Fourteen hundred, however, absented themselves from duty.

The Premier has refused a further request to allow processions.

COMPULSORY CONFERENCE DESIRED. MR. JUSTICE HIGGINS REFUSES. Received 5, 12.20 a.m. Melbourne, February 4. An application on behalf of the Tramway Employees' Association was made to the Federal Arbitration Court with a view to summoning a compulsory conference of the disputants in the Queensland strike. Mr. Justice Higgins refused the application on the ground that there was no evidence that the dispute is one extending, or likely to extend, beyond Queensland. Leave was. given to Tenew the application if further material is forthcoming to establish the claim.

SHIPPING DISORGANISED. PASSENGERS BUT NO CARGO. STRIKERS CHARGED. STRIKE SPREADS. Received 5, 12.30 a.m. Brisbane, February 4. Steamers left as usual on Saturday for Brisbane and other Queensland ports, taking only passengers, cargo being refused. The Brisbane steamers Aramac and.Arawata were unable to leave on Saturday, owing to the strike. The Pilbarra, from Sydney, landed her passengers, but did not come up the river. The Burwah, from the north, did not unload, and is proceeding direct to Sydney. Two men were charged in connection with Saturday's trouble, and one was fined £5. The other was remanded.

The strike threatens to spread. A meeting of Townsville representatives of all workers affiliated to the Australian Workers' Union decided to cease work in sympathy with the Brisbane strikers. The men affected include miners of Charters Towers, Rainswood, Cloncurry, Herberton and Chillagoe, the waterside workers of Townsville, Mackay, Bowen and Cairns, and also the sugar, meat and timber workers. The strike eventuates on Monday if the call comes, the Strike Committee having instructed the men to hold themselves in readiness.