THE AUSTRALIAN CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 37, 13 February 1929, Page 6

THE AUSTRALIAN CRISIS.

To-day Australia is faced once more by the possibility of a tremendous industrial conflict. The timber workers have refused to accept the Federal Arbitration Court's extension of the working week i'rom 44 to 48 hours, and they have been virtually locked out. At the same, time, as the New (South Wales coal workers have refused to consider the Government proposals for reorganisation, the mine-owners have decided to dismiss the men so as to get a free hand for the rehabilitation of thy industry. Naturally the two groups of workers sympathise with each other's grievances, and if they combine, and if, as seems probable, they are supported by aiiy large section of the transport workers, the result must be what is already described in Australia as "an unprecedentea industrial upheaval." This is a very serious matter for New Zealand. For if the steamship services are affected, the Dominion will suffer as well as the Commonwealth.

It is impossible to deny that, on the surface, the workers can make out a strong case for their discontent. The Arbitration Court's decision to abolish the 44-hour.s week in the timber trade struck a grievous blow at the aspirations of the wage-earner for a shorter working' period. At the same time, though Mr. Bavin's proposals to the coalworkers were no doubt economically sound, they involved a temporary reduction in wage.?, with only future prospects of recovery. "More work and less wages" is a slogan that can hardly fail to rouse the workers against the employers, and no doubt the unionist leaders will make the most of it. Unfortunately it is still true that the position of the timber industry and coal-mining industry for the time being necessitates some such readjustment, and if the workers resist, the struggle must react disastrously upon themselves. The unions will probably find great difficulty in financing a prolonged strike, and the bitterness of feeling already engendered is indicated by the advice recently tendered to the men by a Sydney Labour leader, that "no mercy should be shown to volunteer workers." .