BRISBANE BADGE STRIKE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 45, 6 February 1912, Page 5

BRISBANE BADGE STRIKE

THE WHEELS REVOLVE. WITHOUT THE AID OF STRIKERS. A PREMIER IlOllTin HIS OH ICE. I PRESS ASSOCIVTIOS COPYRIGHT.] Brisbane. Feb. 5. Trams started running at three different points at noon, 100 experienced tramwaymen and 150 notices being employed. All were armed and large forces of armed men lined the route. The crowds cheer the cars. The Premier conferred with the police heads in the morning, when arrangements wore completed for starting the trams. The first cars were mostly filled with special constables. Air Badger, the manager of the tramway company, rode on one. The Premier's action in starting the trams came as a surprise. The strikers anticipated that they would be started to-morrow. Air. Badger denies that ho rode in one of thei trams. The trains continued running till the evening. There was no trouble, and the public gave a fair patronage. HOW STRIKE LEADERS VIEW THE Al OVE. THE MENACE OF SYNDICALISM Air. Coyne, president of the strike committee, interviewed after the start, stated that the committee had issued strict orders against any attempt at violence, adding, “We are on a good wicket and can afford to keep a peaceful attitude. You may anticipate within a couple of days a complete upheaval throughout Australia.”

Air. Collins, another member of the committee, states that they 7 had received the following wire from their Sydney mates, “When you say the word we are ready to paralyse this city.” Posses of special constables are guarding the Premier’s house. It is understood that the police have taken these precautions owing to alleged threats against Air. Denham, who objected to the presence of a guard, declaring that he was all right. The strike committee held frequent meetings to-dav. It is rumoured that the outcome is likely to be far-reaching. The strikers held a secret meeting v ith the Executive of the Labour Council Iwo Labour members oi Ihi Q”fetisland Parliament were in attendance. No information is available bevond the statement of the president that. We decided to give Bi’sb me our best assistance. ’

All 1 inlavson. Al. L.A.. referring to the warning of the Commissioner of Police that the strike leaders would be held responsible for any disorder and arrested if there was trouble, declared that if they were arrested five hundred of their vigilance officers and others would take thiir place. They had 22,000 to depend upon. The police were seeking an excuse to arrest the leaders.

POLICE 3900 STRONG

BATON AND SWORD DRILL

Numbers of bnshmen have reached the city and are volunteering their services as special constables. Altogether the Police Commissioner has a force of 3000 men to guard the line. The strikers are evidently cowed. The city presents an appearance of a siege. .Semi-military camps have been formed in the Government domain. The Botanical Gardens are dotted with tents and long lines of horses. The drilling of special constables with batons and mounteds at sword exercise is in full swing. Strong squads are parading the streets. A number of motor cars have been placed at the disposal of tne Government and will be utilsed by* the police in the event of emergency calls. More specials were sworn to-day, including a number of prominent business men. THE FOOD SUPPLIES. The meeting of the Federated Employers’ Union and otfyer employers’ organisations resolved that as the Government guaranteed protection to all trades they, at the Government’s request, would resume business to the extent of relieving those retailers who wore supplying foodstuffs and necessaries of life, but only on the understanding that traders would not accept any* of the terms or conditions of the union’s committee. Contradictory reports come from the northern towns. Some state that the waterside and other men have struck. Others that they are still waiting and ready for the call out.

LABOUR’S ATTITUDE AT SYDNEY. Sydney. Fob. 5. The executive of the Labour Council has decided to advise unions financially to support the Brisbane strikers but to take no precipitate action. The Tramway Employees’ Union is forwarding an additional £5OO. The secretary of the Federated Liquor Trades Union is taking steps to prevent sending beer from Melbourne or Sydney to Brisbane, where all breweries are closed. It is officially stated that the waterside workers will take no action to support Brisbane, certainly not in tlie immediate future. Air. Fisher states that efforts wil] be directed to meeting the Brisbane trouble in the Federal Arbitration I Court. | Steam Service Discoutiu rafr rff STEAM SERVICE DIS( DNl 'IT NEED. I All steamers are cutting out Bri-s--bane as a port of call. The Howard Smith Line are withdrawing the Burwali from the northein trade.

The departure of the A.U.S.N. Company’s steamers Wyreema and Alailina have been postponed, and probably the latter will be paid off. None of the companies are receiving cargo for northern ports. COMPULSORY CON FERENC E ASKED FOR. (Received 6. 9.45 a.m.) Alelbourne, Feb. 6. The Industrial Registrar of the Commonwealth Arbitration ("■im". has received two declarations from South Australia in support of a compulsory conference concerning the Brisbane strike which will bo submitted to the president to-day. TRUST THE PEOPLE'S GOOD SENSE. Air. Pearce, referring to Queensland’s request for. aid of the militia, declared lie cannot forsee the possibility of military 7 interference ever being necessary in connection with industrial matters in Australia, he feels so convinced of the good sense of the people always prevailing. THREATS AND PROPHESIES. WORKERS INTIMIDATED. (Received 6, 9.10 a.m.) Brisbane. Fell. 6. Air. Coyne, addressing the strikers. declaim! that by night the whole of the shipping in Queensland would be paralysed. He read a telegram purporting to have come from Townsville stating that the Seamen’s Union and fourteen other unions were out. He then proceeded io say that anyone returning to work before victory was won would be a traitor and would be dealt with as a traitor desei; cd. There was no use in their going to another State. They would be followed. Employers victimising strikers would also be. dealt with. He advised strikers not to pav rent while the strike was on. They must provide food first. . Air. Collings referred to the last lAatemcnt and declared there was no intention to repudiate payments. Creditors would be paid when they returned after they had won the victory 7, when there would be work for all. A bulletin issued bv the Strike Committee that ptcial constables ha i be i ie< i inted from the public service bv coercion.

NORMAL IR\M SI RM'E IN A

i D \YS The tram service continued- until early 7 in ir (unu The manager expects to put on foot the normal service witl n i lev d i FOOD SUPPLIES. The difficulties with regard to food supplies arc far less acute than reported. Most of tlie grocers arc .-erving in ihe usual way. A few pickets arc observed but no interference i"s attempted.

The extension of the strike to Ipswich was followed by ilv> issue of a proclamation prohibiting unlawfull of assemblies in that city.

STRIKERS WILL NOT BE REF.AI PLOYED.

(Received (>, 9.30 a.m.)

Brisbane, Feb. G.

At a meeting < f the City Council, the Mayor stated that the council employees who struck would not be re-employed without his approval. RAILWAYMEN RESUME WORK. (Received 6. 9.55 a.m.) Brisbane, Feb. 6. The Minister of Railways stated that 141 men had returned to work in the Ipswich workshops. IN THE EVENT OF SHOOTING. Sydney, Feb. G. A meeting of the United, Labourers’ Protective Society decided in the event of any cf the Brisbane strikers being shot down to support a general strike <?f all workers in Australia. (lEN ER A L STR f K E TTE MS. Tlie members of Rockhampton Typographical Society, and the butchers will strike on Wednesday. The Rev. Gibson distributed large quantities of bread to indigent parishioners. An order lias been issued for the further closing of all hotels in Brisbane till -Monday.

The Mine-engine drivers at Charters Towers declided by a large majority that there was no local reason why they should join the strike. A meeting of delegates of the Townsville Unions decided on a strike. All the shops are closed and the streets arc crowded. Two constables arrested a man, ami the strikers attacked them with sticks and stones.

The police wore reinforced and succeeded in holding tlie man.