STRIKE DECLARED OFF

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 8054, 7 March 1912, Page 5

STRIKE DECLARED OFF

AT BRISBANE WHAT THE STRIKE COMMITTEE WAITED FOR. By Tel"£raph—Press Association—Copyriß.il BRISBANE, March 6. The strike has been officially declared off. Addressing a meeting, Mr Coyne, chairman or the strike committee, declared that the committee only wanted an assurance that the men might return to work without fear of victimisation. There would then be no need for the strike to continue a day longer. WHY THE STEP WAS TAKEN. (Received March 6, 8.35 p.m.) BRISBANE, March 6. The strike committee to-day declared the strike off. Mr Coyne, in officially announcing this decision, said all those, trades still out, including the wharf labourers and coal-miners,- would resume to-morrow. The committee was enabled to take this step because it had received .the assurance of the Employers’ Federation that there would be no victimisation; also an, assurance from the southern transport unions that they would stand by the Brisbane unions for six mouths if necessary. The announcement was made at a largo gathering of strikers. In a later speech Mr Coyne claimed that the unions had fought probably the best industrial fight in the world’s history. They had been opposed by brutal ferocity, a lying press, and every force of capital. It was not the strike committee’s fault that the port of Brisbane had .been closed. The committee had moved to alter that state of affairs, but the employers declined to meet thorn. The assurance from the Employers' Federation covered most of the callings except tramways and railways. Tramway and railway men who were out would not suffer. They would bo provided for for some time to come, lu order to insure "the safety of the workers the strike committee would not disband, because the transport workers all along the coast would come out when instructed by the committee.

(Received March .7, 0.25 a.m.j

BRISBANE; March 6,

Mr Coyne asked the tramwaymen and railwayman to remain .solid and not to apply for work at present as they might take a job from another uhiondst. They had nothing- to foar, ns assistance was coming from all parts of the Commonwealth and New Zealand.

Tho strikers resume work at 10 a.m. to-morrow, or as early ns possible. Tho general belief is that the strike lias oudod.

The secretary of the Employers' Federation expressed gratification that the strike was off and hoped business would soon bo in a normal condition. SYDNEY, March 6. The settlement of the strike at Brisbane ends the trouble in Sydney. A meeting of wharf labourers to-night decided to ' work; all -boats and all cargoes to-morrow.

largo quantities of goods: for, Brisbane aie awaiting shipment. ■

DISPUTES ELSEWHERE

ADELAIDE TRAMWAYMEN VOTE FOR STRIKE. V - ? C. The Adelaide tramwaymen decided, by a 16 to 1 majority, to strike unless their grievances are remedied by the Arbitration Court. , The matter is now before .the court, ■ "■

ALLEGED FEARS OF VICTIMISATION.

. SYDNEY, March 6. The; Arbitration Court is hearing the case .of the. Tramway Association against various companies. . Mr Warton, general secretary of the associa--.tion, declared that the' men in Brisbane and Melbourne were afraid do identify themselves with, the association for fear of victimisation. _ ‘ -