FIGHT TQ A FINISH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 26, 31 January 1912, Page 7

FIGHT TQ A FINISH.

BRISBANE'S PLIGHT. GENERAL STRIKE COMMENCED FOURTEEN THOUSAND MEN OUT. CITY SIMMERING WITH EXCITEMENT. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. BRISBANE, 30th January. The secretary of the combined unions last night issued an ultimatum to the effect that as no attempt has been made by the Tramway Company to settle the dispute all- members of the unions mua* cease work at 6 o'clock to-night. Accordingly at that hour a, g«ner»J 6trike began. Negotiations had proceeded throughout the day, the Minister of Works having frequent interviews with officials of 'the Tramway Company and the Australian Labour Federation. Up to the last moment there were faint hopes of settlement, but these were eventually dashed to the ground. When the call came the whole ,of ths unions represented at Sunday's confer, ence responded. Railwaymen and others necessary (or carrying on public institutions remain at work, but all others ar» out. It is estimated ' that altogether over fourteen thousand men obeyed the call. The city is simmering with suppressed excitement. Thousands of strikers arxj parading the streets, which are being patrolled by strong detachments ol mounted and foot police, and there is na disorder. Amongst the strikers are all the compositors of the Daily Mail newspaper and over a hundred from the Government Printing Office. Wharf labourers deserted the ships as they stood, and a number of vessels are held up partially loaded or unloaded, as the case may be. Carrying companies, anticipating a ' continuation of the trouble, have subpenned operations and sent their horses out to grass. All day long the stores, were rushed by customers laying in stores. ' There was a. tremendous demand for all classes of goods. EXECUTIVE BUSY DEFECTION OF STRIKERS EXPECTED. FULL EXTENT OF CALL KNOWNi TO-DAY. " (Received January 31, 9.55 a.m.) BRISBANE, This Day. The strikers' executive is extremoly, busy and is sitting continuously. It is expected that some employees were strongly opposed to a general, strike, and that defections are likely. To-day will disclose the full effect of the call out, and the extent to \vhicl> the ukase has been obeyed. TRAMS CEASE RUNNING MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER, HOTELS TO~"bE CLOSED. (Received January 31, 8.40 a-m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Brisbane trams stopped running early last night and will not run to-day. Snortly before six o'clock last night an order was, issued closing tho hotels, which are not open to-day. Everything is being done to maintain law and order. Arrangements have been made for the bread and milk supplies to go on uninterrupted, though there will be no de- t livery of bread, as the carters are participating in the strike. , GOING TO BE A BIG CONFLICT • y FUNDS COMING IN FREELY. MONSTER DEMONSTRATION . ARRANGED. ' (Received January 31, 9.30 a.m>) . BRISBANE, This Day. A number of meetings are to be held during the day, A big gathering last night was addressed by Mr. Coyne, a> member of the Assembly, and President of the Australian Labour Federation, and other leaders. Mr. Coyne declared that the men itttended to fight to a finish. He appealed' to the sirikers to preserve th« strictest discipline, keep sober, and preserve order. N He declared that this waft going to be a big business. Those who could not see its magnitude now, would see it in a week or two. He announced that funds were already coming in freely. To-day cablea would be despatched all over the civiHeed world on behalf of the strikers^ A monster demonstration' is being art ranged for to-day. ATTITUDE OF RAILWAY MEN • MEN MAX CEASE WORK IF THEY, CHOOSE. BRISBANE, This Day. Indications are that the trouble may, spread tq the railways. At a, meeting of the Railway Em» ployees' Association, held late last night, at which 600 attended, it was resolved that all members of the association, or any other employees who choose, may cease work to-day. The association includes all grades ol railway men and ' a number of signalmen. WILL LEAVE WORK TO-DAY. (Received January 31, 9.55 a.m.) | , BRISBANE, This Day. It is 6tated that the executive of tho Railway Men's Association refused to endorse the resolution in favour of the strike, but the men intend to leave work to-day in spite of the executive. IN THE INTERESTS OF SETTLEMENT. , CABINET MINISTERS WORKING HARD. MEN'S BEHAVIOU*R EXCELLENT, (Received January 31, 9.45 a.m.) BRISBANE, Thk Day. Tho Police Department is receiving nun» dreda of applications from men willing to serve as special constables. The Premier (the Hon. Mi\ Donham) and the Commissioner of Railways Irur- ' riedly returned from Sydney, u-llore titts have b_een vi^itii)^ ' *

The Ministers are working hard in the interests of a settlement, and are leaving not stone unturned to secure peace and good order. The police report states that the men's ■"^haviour so far has been excellent. / ENTERTAINMENTS CLOSED. NEWSPAPERS IN SERIOUS POSITION. LARGE SALE~OF REVOLVERSREPORTED. . (Received January 31, 9.55 a.m,) - BRISBANE, This Day. All the public entertainments have ieloeed excepting one. The newspapers afe in a serious position, the conipositorS having largely thrown in their lot with the strikers. Householders are everywhere- busy laying irr stocks* against a threatened piege. It is reported „that during yesterday one firm sold over £300 worth of revolvers. * • ■ GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT SUPPLIES , NO TROUBLE ANTICIPATED. (Received January 31, 9.20 a":m.) ' BRISBANE, This Day. The gas and electric supplies so far have not- been interfered with, and the companies anticipate no trouble. im A number of vessels have been left partially loaded. In some cases the men's notices do not expire till eight this morning/ , . " < Many of the strikers are wearing red ribbons. ' * • '