INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 33, 3 February 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

BAYONETS FIXED AND SAVORDS DRAAVN.

IN THE BRISBANE STRIKE

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.)

Brisbane, February 2. .The decision of the authorities not to allow the usual procession to-day was responsible for the first serious outbreak.

A crowd of eight thousand strikers gathered at the Trades Hall with the intention of parading. Bowman, leader of the party, arriving, announced that the procession had been forbidden. The announcement created much dissatisfaction.

In the meantime a strong body of foot police, carrying rifles with bayonets fixed, and mounted troopers with drawn swords came on the scene.

Chief Inspector Urquhart, in charge oi the police, informed the, crowd that tne rifles were loaded with ball cartridges, and ordered them to disperse. The bulk of the gathering took the hint and left. The union leaders also used their influence to prevent trouble. Subsequently an attempt was made to re-form the procession. Airs Alillor, a prominent Labourite, assumed the head of several hundreds, including many women, and attempted to break through the police ranks. The women wore allowed to pass, and the police then closed up. The crowd, refusing to disperse, the mounted charged) the police also freely using their batons. Excitement ran high. Eventually the crowds were broken up, and the streets in the vicinity of the trades Hall swept clear. Order was then restored.

During the melee two policemen in plain clothes and a constable were slightly injured. Several strikers received injuries. During the height of the trouble, Police Commissioner Cahill was directing operations when a striker seized him by the leg and dragged him from his horse. The Commissioner was unhurt, and quickly remounted. His assailant escaped.

Three‘hundred police and mounted and foot specials were detailed to prevent the procession. ‘ AVhen the crowd attempted to march into the Market Square they were barred by the police. Fifty of those in the front rank, carrying rifles, fixed their bayonets. Though the larger portion of the crowd dispersed, several hundreds, who were manifestly disappointed and angry, persisted in their efforts to induce the police to allow them to pass.

The union leaders succeeded in quietening them, the police showing groat tact and patience. After dispersing,..the crowds gathered in the side streets, reformed under Mrs Miller, showing mufch more determination. A second attempt was made to form the procession. The police charged three times before^ they succeeded in clearing the danger . j. They met with considerable resistance, sticks and stones being freely used. Afterwards the police paraded the main streets, dispersing any signs, of gathering. Unionists and non-union-ists alike wore compelled to scatter. Hundreds .watched from balconies, cheering and hooting. Besides the, police engaged, large detachments were held in reserve. The authorities announc that order will be kept at all costs, and every attempt at lawlessness will he rigorously suppressed. A deputation of Labour members in the afternoon asked tho Premier to ca’.l Parliament together and try and settle the strike, and also to allow processions.

Mr Denham replied that until law and order was restored he could do nothing. He criticised the strike leaders holding up supplies, and added that if the Government could not ensure the safety of the people some other Government would have to do it FOOD SUPPLIES RUNNING SHORT Brisbane, February 2. Already food supplies arc beginning to get scarce. Hotels are refusing to take boarders, not for want of room, but fearing a shortage of supplies. No fresh meat is available. There is a great ”un on tinned goods. Owing to the non-delivery of bread, large crowds gather round the bakers' shops clamouring for supplies. Many of the better class people are leaving the city till the trouble is over.

The Stock Exchange has decided to close till further notice.

The Department of Navigation has notified that, owing to the strike stopping coal supplies, the Moretpn Bay Pilot service is dislbcatod, and that it is impossible to supply shipping with pilots for Brisbane or Eastern ports. ROWDY ELEMENT BUSY. (Received 3, 9.0 a.m.) Brisbane, February 3. Later reports to somo extent minimise the strikers’ part in yesterday’s disturbance. They show it was the outcome of a determination on the part of the authorities to assert their power and maintain law and order. Previously they were not strong enough to keep the crowds strictly in order but large accessions of the police force with the addition of a hundred special constables placed the Government in a position to take firmer action. The Premier gave the Commissioner of Police a free hand to deal with the situation. The police did the work of clearing the streets well and effectually, and on the whole tactfully, considering the many brushes with the strikers. Very little damage was done. There were a few broken heads and minor injuries. The

strikers wore surprised at the change of tactics. They resented being hustled from pillar to post but in few instances attempted anything like retaliating violence, there being only isolated instances of the use of sticks and stones. The strikers as a body claim that any real resistance did not occur. It was caused by a small section of the rowdy element. The Premier states that he has applied :o the Commonwealth Government for military aid if found necessary. No reply has been received. Ho informed a deputation of Labour members who asked him to call Parliament together to consider the question of purchasing the tramways and other matters connected with the strike, that ho had no intention of calling Parliament together in order to seek cocrcive powers. There was sufficient power in the Statute Book to secure the restoration of law and order. He intended to use it. A PILOT AVAILABLE. (Received 3, 10.50 a.m.) Sydney, February 3. The Orient Company last night was informed that a pilot was available it Brisbane. Therefore they will despatch the Orsorva to-day. She lands passengers only. FAMINE OPERATIONS. (Received 3, 10.50 a.m.) Brisbane, February 3. The master bakers, deserted by their employers, are unable to supply the demand for bread and flour. The Government has decided to open a depot for the supply of flour at cost price. The Home Secretary announces that mass meetings in streets (or squares will no longer be tolerated. Good order must be maintained. As a result of the vigilence of the police a number of shops were opened last night. A few buses are, plying. The strike committee is lending active assistance to the police in keeping order and has appointed a number of officials wearing white* bands. It is rumoured that a number of influential people, including Archbishop Donaldson, are endeavouring to arrange a settlement. The Premier states that negotiations are pending. Nothing definite has yet (been arranged. The Railway Department discontinues allnight trains. A further batch of employees resumed. On the other hand thirteen hundred men employed at the Ipswitch railway shops responded to the call-out. According to advices received, the union leaders of tramwaymen in southern capitals are prepared to obey the call if asked. A TRIP ABANDONED. Sydney, February 2. The Orient Company will not send the Orsova to Brisbane, owing to the strike. RUMOURED SEITLEMEm" Sydney, February 2. News from Brisbane is hours behind. The latest reports are that the city is quiet. An unconfirmed and improbable rumour is in circulation here that the strike is settled. WELLINGTON STRIKERS CONVEY SYMPATHY. Wellington, February 2. The Wellington Tramways Union, after deciding last night to .stand firm in respect to its own strike, passed the following resolution amidst cheers : “The mass meeting of workers convoys to our comrades on strike in Brisbane our heartfelt sympathy, and offer them every good wish for unqualified success.” MILITARY AID? Melbourne, February 2. It is stated that the Queensland Government asked the Fedei'al Government for military aid. Mr Fisher stated that he received messages from the Queensland Government and the labour leaders, but declined to disclose any information. It is reported in other quarters that military were asked for and refused. Mr Fisher states that from private sources he learned that a very small section was responsible for the disturbances. MOVING THE FEDERAL LAW. Melbourne, February 2. Justice Higgins is watching events in Brisbane,- and decides to-morrow if ho will move the Federal Arbitration in regard to the matter.

THE PORTUGUESE TROUBLE.

TRIAL IN BATCHES. Lisbon, February 2. The Chamber has approved the Government’s Bill to try strikers by courtmartial in batches of 25, without preliminary enquiry or appeal, except to the Supreme Courtmartial. When the Bill was read, ‘Senator Machade Santos exclaimed: “It is just like one of Jose Franco’s decrees!” The Chronicle’s Lisbon correspondent states that hundreds of political prisoners are herded in dungeons 45 feet below the ground, and fed on mouldy bread and water unfit to drink. Typhoid is common. The prisoners sentenced include many priests, barristers, land-owners and officers.

THE WELLINGTON TROUBLE.

THE COUNCIL WAVERING. Wellington, February 2. Efforts to settle the tram strike appear to have failed. Representatives of the Strike Committee and the City Council conferred all day. The men had submitted an ultimatum, demanding (1) the removal of Inspector

Fuller from the service; (2) indemnity against legal prosecution for striking; (3) a guarantee against victimisation on resumption of work. Claim No. 2 was waived by the strikers’ representatives. The other two were agreed to by the Council. Thus a basis of settlement was reached for the consideration of the strikers.

When the meeting of strikers took place objection was taken to the words, “at his own request,” in the paragraph providing for Fuller’s transference to other work. These words, it is claimed, had been inserted subsequent to the basis of agreement being approved by the Strike Committee. In any case the meeting to-night refused to agree to tho settlement unless the words, “at his own request” are deleted. In tho meantime the Council had adjourned till to-morrow. “THE HOPE OF THE WORLD.” Christchurch, February 2. At a meeting of the General Labourers’ Union to-night the following motion was agreed to unanimously: “We, the general labourers of Canterbury, extend our deepest sympathy with the Wellington tramway men in their present trouble; and believing that the solidarity of labour is the hope of the world, we therefore declare that this union can be counted on in this fight, and that your fight is our fight.” It was further decided “that this meeting of general labourers strongly protest against the action of the military authorities in picking out a few of ( the boys who have refused to register under the Defence Act, 1910 for prosecution, and we declare we will do all in our power, to resist the Act.” It was also decided to take a plebiscite on the question of voting £4O to assist- the wives and children of the Lithgow strikers.

TROUBLES ELSEWHERE.

CONFLICT IN PARSIS. Paris, February 2. The Taxi-cab Company, owning 3500 cabs, have not used a single vehicle since November 27. They brought out a large contingent ■of drivers. The newly instructed chauffeurs/ left the garages, escorted by ‘cuirassjdrs and cyclist policemen. ' One of ;~the latter, falling from his cycle, threw the procession in disorder. ' I:'-. ' A mob of strikers rushed the vehicles, overturning five, smashing the windows and slashing the cushions. The cavalry with difficulty rescued htfie remainder. . '_, 1 j ;V’-- " . ■ , A severe conflict then ensped. The soldiers and police were armed with swords and revolvers, and'the strikers with stones '.and knives.'. Twentyone police and soldiers and thirty strikers were wounded. , . ' ; ' throughout the day were made to cut the tyres. VIOLENT COTTON OPERATIVES. London, February 2. The North-East Lancashire operatives are treating the agreement as waste paper. Molestation of nonunionists, particularly Catholics, is increasing in alarming proportions. The police at Nelson escorted home a hundred men and women Catholics, whom a thousand weavers assailed. The masters are indignant,, and are discussing a renewal of the lock-out. The union officials plead they are not responsible. for the disorder's. NATIONAL STRIKE POSSIBLE. London, February 2. The Glasgow dockers have arrived in London to consult with the National Transport Workers’ Federation regarding a national strike. The Miners’ Federation has resumed its conference on the question of the minimum wage, SYDNEY WHARF LABOURERS. (Received 3, 9.0 a.m.) Sydney, February 3. Trouble has occurred at the Newcastle Company’s wharf, the casual wharf labourers refusing to work unless constant wharf hands are dismissed. BRITISH MINERS. (Received 3, 9.30 a.m.) London, February 2. The Miners’ Federation has adopted a resolution varying the minimum rates according to districts as a basis, for local negotiations with the coal owners and finally to 1)© ratified. by the national conference between both sides. . : TILBURY DOCKERS OUT. (Received 3, 10.25 a.m.) London, February 2. Five thousand Tilbury dockers have struck against the employment of nonunionists. The shipowners will consider the situation on Monday. COTTON OPERATIVES. (Received 3, 10.25 a.m.) . London, February 2. The masters have refused the cotton weavers’ application for an increase of wages until peace has been restored. The operatives declined these terms. A general strike is anticipated. Extra police have been despatched to Nelson.