THE LABOUR STRUGGLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 999, 24 April 1891, Page 31

THE LABOUR STRUGGLE.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. I Brisbane, April 16. The shearers threaten the railway linesmen’s wives that if they do not subscribe to assist the Unionists their houses will be burned down. A fatal affray occurred at Barcaldine Downs between two free labourers. One named W. Leod seized a bayonet from an armed guard and stabbed another named Ryan dead. A woolshed on the Gumbardo station, containing 500 bales of wool, was burned down by Unionists. Brisbane, April 17. Woolsheds and a hnt on the Milo station, near Adavale (130 mile 3 west of Charleville), were burnt to the ground, and the men in charge taken prisoners to the Unionist camp. A body of police has been stuck up by Unionists at Coreena, and a relief party been despatched to their assistance. The shearers have established a reign of terror in the Barcaldine district. The Unionists aie firing woolsheds, wagons, huts, and grass, and capturing free shearers in all directions. The people are maddened, and threaten to take the law in their own hands. A delegate from the Labour Federation visits the Argentine to report on the advisability of sending Unionists there to form a settlement. The pastoralists are subscribing to the movement. Brisbane, April 18. The insurance companies, in the face of recent events, are refusing to accept risks on pastoral properties in Queensland, and are also considering the advisableness of refunding the premiums paid for insuring these properties, and declaring the policies off. A band of Unionists rushed Coreena Station and induced a number of free labourers to leave. Matters became so serious that the Riot Act was read and the military charged the mob with fixed bayonets. Several arrests were made. Brisbane, April 20. A determined attempt was mace to burn down the Courthouse at Clermont. A portion of the verandah was saturated with kerosene and then sot fire to. Fortunately an alarm was raised and the flames were extinguished. It is believed the object the perpetrator of the outrage had in view was to destroy ‘the depositions taken in the recent conspiracy and riot cases. Six men charged with rioting at Coreena were sentenced to three months’ imprison, ment each.

Several others on charges of intimidation have been committed for trial. The shearers in Balcaldine had a meeting on Saturday, when they pledged themselves to obey their leaders’ orders. London, April 17. The Labour Commission is expected to open its sittings on Wednesday. New York, April 20. A serious riot took place in Scotdale, Pennsylvania, to-day, owing to the conduct of the cokemen, who are out on strike. During the disturbance many bomba were exploded in the streets, and the military was called out to preservo order. Auckland, April 20. The Typographical Association have struck a levy for the ES3istance of the bootmakers on strike.