BRISBANE STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10552, 7 February 1912, Page 3

BRISBANE STRIKE.

COMPULSORY CONFER EXCE. SOUTH AUSTRALIA INTERVENES MELBOURNE, February G. (United Press AssnnaHon —liy - trie Telearavh —Ccnuvinht.) (Received February 6, 9.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, February 6. The industrial registrar of tho Commonwealth Arbitration Court has received two declarations from South Australia in support of a compulsory conference concerning the Brisbane strike and tlhey will be submitted to the President to-day. Senator Hon. G. F. Pearee, Commonwealth Minister for Defence, referring to Queensland's request for militia declared that he cannot foresee the possibility of military interference ever being necessary in connection with industrial matters in Australia, he was so convinced that the good sense of the people would always prevail.

! SHIPPING PARALYSED. TRAITORS WARNED. (Received February 6, 9.40 a.m.) BRISBANE, February 6. My Coyne, addressing the strikers, declared that by flight tho whole of tho shipping of Queensland would be paralysed. He read a telegram purporting to come from Townsville, stating that the Seamens' Union and fourteen other Unions wero "out," and he proceeded to say that anyone returning to work before the victory had 'been won would be a traitor, and would bo dealt with .as a trator deserved. It was no use their going to another state, as they would ibe followed. Any employer victimising the fit pikers would be dealt with. He advised the' strikers not to pay rent while the strike wa-s on; they must provide food first.

Mr Collings, refemng to the last statement, declared that there was no intention to repudiate payment of rent; it would be paid Avhen tlhey returned to work after a victory had been gained, when there should oe work for all. ALLEGED COERCION.

A bulletin issued by th© Strike Committee states that special constables were recruited from the public service by coercion. The tram service continued until early in the evening. The manager expects that there will be a normal service in. a few days. FOOD SUPPLIES.

The difficulties with regard to food , supplies are far less acute; as most of the grocers are serving in the usual way. A few pickets 'have been observ- i ed, but no interference was attempted. l The extension of the strike to Ips- ' wich was followed by the issue of a I proclamation prohibiting unlawful as- I semblies in that city. CITY COUNCIL'S STAND. At a meeting of the Brisbane City Council the Mayor' stated t'hiat any Council employees who struck would not be re-employed without 'his approval. 'Members of the Roclchampton Typographical Society and butdhers will strike on Wednesday. The Rev.-; Mr Gibson distributed 1 large quantities of bread to indigent > parishioners. kn order has been'issued for tihe •further closing of all hotels in Brisbane till Monday.- ■ ... < EXTENSION OF THE STRIKE. ' The mine engine drivers at Charters Towers decided by a large majority for no local reason, to join the. strike. A meeting of delegates of 'the Townsville Unions decided to strike, and all the shops have closed. > i The streets are crowded. POLICE ATTACKED. Two constables arrested a man, and the strikers attacked the constables, with sticks and stones. The police were reinforced, and succeeded in holding the man. . . IF STRIKERS ARE SHOT. | (Received February 6, 9.55 a.m.) " SYDNEY, February 6. A meeting.of the United Labourers Protective Society decided that in the event of any of the Brisbane strikers being shot down they would support a general strike of all the workers inAnstra'ia. ' RETURNING TO WORK. (Received February 6, 9.55 a.m.) BRISBANE, February 6. The Minister of Railways states that 141 men have returned to work at the Ipswich workshops. NO DISORDER. BUSINESS RESUMED. CONTRADICTORY REPORTS. (Received February; 6, 12.15 a.m.) BRISBANE, February 5. T'lie trams continued running till evening and there was no trouble with the public, the trams receiving fair patronage. More special constables were sworn in to-day, including a number of prominent business men. A meeting of the Federated Employers' Union, and other employers' organisations resolved that, as the Government had guaranteed fhe protection of all trades, they, at tho Government's request , would resume business, to the extent of relieving those retailers supplying foodstuffs, and necessaries of life, but only on the understanding that the traders would not accept- any of the terms or conditions of the Union's Committer. There are contradictory roports from northern towns, some stating t v it fhe waterside and other men h:w« struck, arid others that the* are still waiting and ready for a call Grit.