CALLING OFF THE STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 58, 7 March 1912, Page 5

CALLING OFF THE STRIKE.

STRIKE PAY TO CONTINUE. TO TRAM AHD RAILWAY MEN. '• BEST FIGHT IN HISTORY." »By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) BRISBANE, March 6. Mr. Coyne (chairman of the committee), in officially announcing the decision to call off the strike, said that the men in all trades still out. including the wharf labourers and coal miners, would resume to-morrow. The committee was enabled to take this step because it had received an assurance from the Employers' Federation that there would be do victimisation. ]t had also received an assurance from the southern transport unions that thev would stand by the Brisbane unions for six months if necessary. The announcement was made to a large gathering of strikers. In a laier speech Mr. Coyne claimed that they had fought probably the best industrial fight in the world's history. They had been opposed by the brutal ferocity of a lying Press and every force of capital. It was not the Strike Committee's fault that the port of Brisbane bad been closed. The committee had moved to alter that state of affairs, but the employers had declined to meet them. The assurance from the Employers' Fede- j ration covered most callings except tramways and railways. The tramway-ten and railwayroen who were out would not suffer: they would be provided for for some time to come. In order to ensure the safety of workers the Strike Committee would not disband, because the transport workers all along the coast would come out v\ hen instructed by the committee. Mr. Coyne asked the tramwaymen and the railwaymen to remain solid and not to apply for work at present, as they might take a job from another unionist. They had nothing to fear, as assistance was coming from all parts of the Commonwealth and New Zealand. The strikers will resume at 10 a,m. to-morrow, or as early us possible. There is general relief that the strike has ended.

The secretary of the Employers' Federation expressed gratification that the strike vras off, and said lie hoped business would soon resume its normal condition. BACK TO THE NORMAL. SYDNEY. March fi. The settlement of the strike in Brisbane ends the trouble in Sydney. A meeting of wharf labourers to-night decided to work all boats, and all cargoes to-morrow. Large quantities of goods for Brisbane are awaiting shipment. LAW-ABIDING STRIKERS. A THREAT OF RETALIATION. I Received 8.5 a-m.) '- " ~ BRTSBA7TE. this day. Mr. Coyne declared that the strikers never broke the law. The biggest offence, according to the police, was calling some|Mje a "scab." Every Act on the Parliamentary Statute Book was suspended in order to defeat them. In the event of the employers not keeping their promise, the Strike Committee would again close the port of Brisbane.. There were certain employers with whom the committee would deal in a few days. Personally, he would not ride in a tram again till he saw the employees wearing badges as emblems of unionism. WHARF WORKERS' RESUME. (Received 11.15 a-m.) BRISBANE, this day. The waterside workers will return today. They will handle only the cargo of vessels not worked by non-union labour. PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. (Received 1.15 pjn.)

MELBOURNE, this day.

A meeting of employers sympathised with the Brisbane employers owing to the strike. A collection resulted in £I4OO being subscribed to assist in meeting expenditure as a result of the strike.