THE GENERAL STRIKE AT BRISBANE.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13329, 1 February 1912, Page 2

THE GENERAL STRIKE AT BRISBANE.

A FIGHT TO A FINISH. THREATENED STOPPAGE OF RAILWAYS. Brisbal.:. Jan 31. The trams stopped running early last, night and will not run to-day. Shortly before six o'clock last evening an ordor was issued closing the hotels, which will not open to-day. Everything is being done to maintain law and order. Arrangements have been made for bread and milk supplies to go on uninterruptedly, though there will be no delivery by bread carters participating in the strike. There are indications that the trouble may spread to the railways. A meeting of the Railway Employees' Association was held last night, O'llt attending, when it was resolved that members of the Association or any other employees who chose, cmsld eoaso work to-day. The Association includes all grades of railway nu'U and a. number of signal men.

It is stated that the executive, of tho Railway Men's Association have refused to endorse the. resolution in favour of a strike, but the men intend to leave work to-day in spite of the executive.

Tho gas and electric supplies so far havo not been interfered with, and the companies anticipate no trouble.

A. number of vessels left partially loaded,

In some cases' tho men's notices ol intention to quit work do not expire till 8 o'clock this morning. Many strikers aro wearing red ribbons.

A number of meetings were held during yesterday. A. big gathering last night was addressed by Air Coyne, a, members of the Assembly and president of the Australian Labour Federation, and other leaders. Mr Coyne declared that they intended to fight to a finish, and appealed to tho strikers to observe- tho strictest discipline, keep sober, and preserve order, lie said that this was going to bo a big business, and thoso who could not sco its magnitude now would see it in a week or two. T-lo announced that funds already wore coming in freely and that day cables had been despatched all over the eivilisod world on behalf of the strikers.

The police department is receiving hundreds of applications from men willing to serve as special constables.

The Premier and the Commissioner of Railways havo hurriedly returned from Sydney, where- they were visiting.

Ministers have worked hard in the interests of a .settlement, leaving i:o stone unturned to secure peace. Good order is preserved, and the police report that the men's behaviour so far is excellent.

All places of entertainment havo been closed excepting ono.

Tho strike executives are extremely busy, sitting continuously.

It is reported that some employees are strongly opposed to a genera! strike, and that defections aro likely. To-day will disclose the full effort or tho call out, and the extent to which the unions' ukn.se will be obeyed.

it is reported that during yesterday ono firm sold over £300 worth of revolvers.

_ Newspapers aro in a serious position. The compositors liavo largely thrown in their lot with tho striker::.

Householders everywhere are busy laying in stocks against tho threatened siege.