FUNDS COMING IX.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14275, 10 February 1912, Page 9

FUNDS COMING IX.

A PROLONGED STRUGGLE EX-

PECTED.

United Press Association—By Klectrio Association —Copyright.

BRISBANE, February 9.

The Strike Committee has been displaying increased activity. The trend of tho latest proposal is to throw the burden of the fight on the unions concerned with the main arteries of trade, gradually resolving the general strike into a eeotional etr.ke, involving the seamen, waterside workers, and ooal miners. Unionists returning to work are to contribute to the fund to keep those mentioned on strike indefinitely. This counter-proposal will hare the offset of extending the trouble throughout Australia. Ample funds are coming forward from other States, and there is every prospect ot a prolonged struggle.

The employers are showing unprecedented firmness regarding those whom they re-employ. The "Daily Mail" newspapar has decided not to take on compositors who are associated with the Tr t ades Hall, and has invited the men to form a separate union.

At the employers' meet.ng on Wednesday, a master butcher stated that the men had returned to work of theii own free will. Tho Strike Committee replied by calling tho men out again. Now they are all out, and a meat famine is threatened.

A practically ftijl tram service is now running, and the manager stake that the only thing likely to interfere with it now will be the exhausting of tho coal sullies.

Jtnquiries have alreadj- commenced in Japan with a view" to importing coal.

x\s vessels arrive, tne seamen are called out, as they are considered one of the princ;pal factors in the fight. and the committee hopes through their agoncy to completely paralyeo trade.