rs, whose interests were being so assailed, than to the power that
lay in their hands to tackle the strikers by the aid of the military
forces. The police, under the able guidance of Mr. Fosberry, then Chief
Commissioner, did their work splendidly, but the situation became too
critical. Bank managers, insurance agents, squatters, architects and
others took off their coats and waistcoats, loaded and unloaded the
trolleys, and worked like common labourers. The farthest point that the
Government would go towards assisting the police in keeping order was to
detail a restricted number of mounted riflemen to protect the willing
volunteer workers from the assaults of the strikers.

In sympathy with the action taken in Sydney the Wharfmen's Unions in all
the other chief ports of Australia joined their comrades, and Port
Adelaide became a head centre. Previous to this the South Australian
Government had entered into an agreement with the Government of Western
Australia to train some fifty Permanent Force Artillerymen to garrison
the newly constructed forts at Albany. This detachment were just
completing their time at Largs Fort, so that the little Permanent Force
under my command in South Australia numbered some 130, of all ranks. The
strikers at Port Adelaide set to work with a good will. Every vessel in
the harbour was picketed, every approach to the wharves guarded. Business
was at an absolute standstill. Large mass meetings of strikers were held
morning and afternoon. The police, under Mr. Peterswald, reinforced by a
large draft from the country districts, could do no more than just
maintain order. The situation was more than serious. Mr. Peterswald
ventured to appear at a mass meeting one afternoon, hoping that he might
cast a little oil on the troubled waters. He came out on the balcony of a
hotel, facing the huge crowd of strikers. A quaint scene followed. Some
wags called out, "Take off your hat, Peter." They wanted to get
authority--as personified by the Commissioner--to bow to them. Peterswald
quickly recognized the position and, lifting his hat, said to them: "I am
glad to meet you, men. I hope you will go back to your work and put an
end to this serious trouble," and quickly left the balcony. The majority
cheered and laughed. But their leaders were on the job. The word was
passed on to the strikers that, about twelve o'clock that night, they
would receive definite instructions from their section leaders as to
their fu