BRISBANE BADGE STRIKE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 46, 7 February 1912, Page 5

BRISBANE BADGE STRIKE

BRISBANE CITY NORMAL. I PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT. ] Brisbane, Feb. 6. Some of the outer environs of the city are in a parlous condition. All means of communication and regular food supplies have stopped. The city itself is more like normal than for some time. The trams are running, and many shops are open, the lists of which are taken by the strikers’ vigilance committee and forwarded to Trades Hall. The police and specials are in pos-' session of the streets, watching the shops to prevent any possible interference and patrolling everywhere. They strictly enforce the move-on clause. The tramway’s voal supply will last for three months. After the visit of the Commissioner to the Ipswich railway shops 230 resumed work. As the outcome of alleged threats and intimidation the Commissioner obtained the services of a magistrate and swore in the loyalists as special constables ami provided them with arms. SYDNEY BENEFITS BY THE STRIKE. Sydney, Feb. 6. Sydney is indirectly benefiting by the Brisbane strike. Steamers from Melbourne are unshipping the perishable portion of the cargo intended for Brisbane, which is sold here, and the balance of the cargo taken back. The shipping companies inform intending passengers to Brisbane that they cannot guarantee when the steamers Avill leave, and decline to book forward.

Efforts; arc being made in labour circles to charter a vessel to carryfood and supplies to the strikers. The Australian Workers’ Union has voted £lOOO for the Brisbane strike. REINFORCEMENTS FROM WAYBACK. About 250 more mounted men from the outback, largely consisting cf squatters and their sens, arrived to augment the Government forces, bring ing 50 extra horses, waggons and stores. There are now 2700 foot and 100 mounted specials doing duty, besides 800 regular police. Fifty specials have been despatch cd to Rockhampton. POSITION OF THE STRIKERS. The strike leaders are busy organising and strictly repressing any attempts at disorderliness. A big force of vigilance officers are patrolling and backing the leaders’ efforts. A strike bulletin issued at midnight says that the Central Government is gone and that they are ruled by a horde cf irresponsible petty tyrants, who in addition to striking them down are prepared to shoot them.

Mr. Coyne states that plenty of money is coming, sufficient to last 20,000 strikers for six weeks. Every worker in Queensland is ready to answer the call out. .A test case in which an ex-tramway employee is suing the tramway company for wrongful dismissal simply because he was a member of the Tramway Employers Association was adjourned till Friday.

Tb.e Australian Workers’ Union has called out the construction workers on five sections of railway, and 1500 men have been rendered idle.

Including the northern towns an I Chillagoe finers. who struck to-day, about 16,000 workers are cut. Melbourne, Feb. 6.

The solicitor to the Tramwaymen's. Association has returned from Adelaide armed with affidavits shewing tliat members of the Adelaide association were debarred from wearing the union badges. 1$ is intended to make these affidavits the basis of an application to the Federal Arbitration Court for a compulsory conference to deal with the Brisbane trouble. . A NEW PROBLEM FOR STRIKERS. (Received 7, 9.15 a.m.) “risbane, Feb. 7. The Employers’ Federation at a meeting, arrived at an understanding presenting a nftw problem for the promoters of strikes in future. The details are not disclosed, but the meeting determined to retain loyal hands in defiance of the Trades Hall, and many strikers will be compelled to seek new avenues of employment. AUSTRALIAN STRIKE ADVOCATED. A -general strike now exists at Rockhampton. Almost all ports are affected. The strike committee endeavoured to involve the Western districts. A general Australian strike is openly advocated. Business, however, is steadily resuming. ENERGETIC EMPLOYERS. Despite the intense heat employers discard their coats, working on the wharves and elsewhere, assisted by loyal employees and guarded by speqjal constables. COMPULSORY CONFERENCE DECIDED UPON. (Received 7. 9.15 a.m.) Melbourne, Feb. 7. Mr. Higgins, President of the Arbitration -Court, has granted the application for a compulsory' conference to be held in connection with the Brisbane strike, on next Tuesday. Representatives are summoned to meet in Melbourne. A SILLY THREAT. Mr. Prendergast. President of the Victorian Tramway Employees’ Association. declared that if Brisbane Tramway Company' defeats the union a motor omnibus company Will run, and al! unionists will bcycot the trams.

STRIKE FUNDS. Sydney. Feb. 7. The Australian Workers’ Union Conference voted £lOOO for the Brisbane strike. The Brisbane strike committee has cabled to England, France, Germany and the United States for assistance. Melbourne, Feb. 7.

Air. Fisher has contributed to the strike funds, and expressed his hope that the conference will lead to a settlement.