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Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 15, 17 January 1914, Page 5

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•— .— GOVERNMENT'S FIRM ACTION MAKES STRIKERS THINK.. TRADES HAIX SURRENDER. WHOLESALE ARRESTS. POSITION GALEIING DOWN. (By Cable.—rress Association—Copyrighti JOHANNESBCRO. January 16. After the Government's reply to the message from the strikers besieged in the Trades Hall, the cordon round the building was greatly strengthened by additional police and a commando of burghers. A 12-poundcr was posted at the corner of the street, and trained on the hall. General De La Key and the control officer, and Colonel Trutter (Police Commandant) superintended the dispositions. When these had been completed Bain appeared at a window of the hall and protested against the display of force. The strike committee was unarmed and intimated that no resistance would be offered. If bloodshed ensued after this notification, the Government would be held responsible. Major Douglas, commanding the police, replied that if the. strikers did not surrender, the authorities must use force. Bain at once replied: "The force is on your side to-day." Another account says the strikers were given five minutes lo come out, otherwise force was threatened. Then down came the police, entered (he building, and arrested Watson, the president of I In- federation. Bain. Mason, Crawford, Ware, and other leaders and their imm'-oiale followers, the number totalling '■'■■<■ They were at once committed to pri.-oii for 21 days under the Peace Preservation Ordinance of 1902.