THE BRISBANE STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 189, 8 February 1912, Page 5

THE BRISBANE STRIKE.

POLICE ATTACKED. REVOLVERS DRAWN. GENERAL STRIKE ADVOCATED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. x Brisbane, February 7. The Strike Committee has cabled to England, France, Germany and the United States for assistance. Two policemen who were arresting a drunken man were attacked by a mob of five hundred. They drew their batons and charged the mob, which dispersed. The latter renewed the attack, but an inspector appeared, and the crowd pelted the police with stones, wounding all the officers. The inspector then drew a revolver, causing an instant scatter. The Employers' Federation at its meeting arrived at an understanding presenting a new problem to the promoters •f the strikes in future. Details were Hot disclosed, but the meeting was determined to retain loyal hands in defiance of the Trades Hall, and many strikers trill be compelled to seek new avenues of employment. A general strike now exists at Roekfcampton, and almost all the ports as fax as Rockhampton are affected. The Strike Committee is endeavoring to involve the Eastern districts. A general Australian strike is openly advocated. Business, however, is steadily being resumed, despite the intense heat. Employers discard their oats, and are working at the wharves and elsewhere, assisted by loyal employees. All are guarded by special constables. Melbourne, February 7. Mr. Justice Higgins. President of the Arbitration Court, granted an application for a compulsory conference in connection with the Brisbane strike next Tuesday, and representatives are summoned to at Melbourne. Mr. Prendergast, President of the Victorian Trairway Employees' Association, declared th\t i/the Brisbane Tramway Company defeats the union, the Motor Omnibus Company will run, and all unionists will boycott the trams. Mr. Fisher has contributed to the strike funds, and expressed the hope that the conference might lead to a settlement. Sydney, February 7. The Australian Workers' Union Conference voted £IOOO to the Brisbane strike. RESUMPTION OF BUSINESS. EFFICIENT TRAIN SERVICE MAINTAINED. Received 7, 8.30 p.m. Brisbane, February 7. All is qu)et, and l fairly efficient tram and train services are running. Business- has largely been resumed. Many big houses report that a large percentage of employees have returned to work, particularly women and girls. Lord Denham. Governor-General, claims that three-quarters' of the workers are back. Coyne disputes this, and declares that those who resumed are not unionists, and points to the fact that warehouses, where men are employed, wharf hands, carters, barbers, theatres and other trades are still idle. Detachments of special police continue to arrive, and the Government consider they are in a position to cope with any possible developments. The strike leaders are confident of a peaceful victory. POSITION OF RAILWAYMEN. SPECIAL CONSTABLES ACT AS LUMPERS. STATEMENT BY STRIKE LEADER. STRIKE SPREADING. Received 7, 9.30 p.m. Brisbane, February 7. It is reported that the union executive. as well as the Premier, asked that military be sent, but the request was refused.

The Railway Commissioner states that only 3 per cent, of the traffic men are out Of 370 who struck in the city 100 lure resumed, whilst some of the others hare asked to be taken back. Their request was declined, and their places will be filled. The Government have decided to allow hotels to open from noon till three to-morrow, by way of experiment. The tram services to-day extended to the outer suburbs.

Aff the result of several complaints from the mounted police that their mounts were stabbed l with hatpins, an order has been issued barring the use of hatpins in crowded streets. The services of some <f r the special constables have been utilised on the wharves in unloading timber and other duties. The wharf laborers strongly resent this. A meeting decided to take steps to prevent the specials from blacklegging, pacifically or otherwise. Coyne, addressing a mass meeting of strikers in the Trades Hall, said they must not think that a compulsory conference would remedy all ills. It would probably prove abortive. Things would be "as you were." Referring to the threat of the employers not to re-engage strikers, Coyne declared that the Strike Committee had decided that no man or woman shall return till justice was ensured to all. The trouble would not be settled till even- employer guaranteed reinstatement for every employee.

The United Laborers' Society has asked the Melbourne Trades Hall to boycott the test match if AlacLaren plays, because he acted as a special constable in Brisbane.

Reports from the country indicate that the strike is steadily spreading. At most of the railway extension works (/ the men downed their tools. Following the example of Brisbane, hotels in the various strike centres have , been closed.

ENDEAVORS TO SECURE A BOAT FAIL.

Received 7, 10.10 p.m. Sydney, February 7. 'Howard, Smith & Co. have withdrawn the steamer Cooraa from the Queensland trade. The executive of the Labor Council have failed in their endeavors to secure a vessel to convey food to the Brisbane strikers. They report that the failure is due to the pressure of the shipping ring. OUTSIDE HELP. LIVELY PROCEEDINGS. THE PROPOSED ARBITRATION. Received l 7, 9.30 p.m. Melbourne, February 7. At a meeting of tramwaymen, held to air their own grievances against the company and to consider the position in Brisbane, the proceedings were lively. A strong section favored an immediate strike. The arguments of the leaders were to the effect that they would serve the cause better by continuing to work and provide funds for the Brisbane men. Eventually these arguments prevailed, and resolutions werp carried in favor of waiting the-result of the compulsory conference ordered by the Federal Arbitration Court before coming to a decision in legard to the strike. Meantime all members will pay a strike levy of half a crown a week. The reported intention of the Brisbane Company to delay the proceedings of the Arbitration Court by raising objections to a compulsory conference, led to a third resolution, empowering the taking of a ballot in favor of drastic action to ensure the hearing of the case during the present month, and in the event of the objection proving successful or new objections being raised a strike will be called.

UNIONISTS WAVERING. WISH TO RETURN TO WORK, Received 7, 11 p.m. Brisbane, February 7. It is reported that unionists in nearly all branches of trade are applying to be reinstated, and are willing to return unreservedly. The Premier announced that in all towns likely to be affected' by the strike necessary steps would be taken for the protection of the people. A COMPULSORY CONFERENCE. Received 7, 11 pun. Melbourne, February 7. The first definite 6tep for holding a compulsory conference were taken by the Industrial Registrar issuing summonses to the managers of the Brisbane and Adelaide Tramway Companies and the presidents and secretaries of the Brisbane and Adelaide Tramway Employees' Associations to attend a conference. FIGHTS WITH POLICE. , RIOTS AT ROCKHAMPTON. SOME INJURIES SUSTAINED. Received 8, 1 a.m. Brisbane, February 7. Reports from Rockhampton and Townsville state that there have been brushes between the police and strikers. There was stone-throwing and windowbreaking at Rockhampton. Two were injured. The police restored order. There are no details.