REPLY TO BISHOP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 38, 15 February 1943, Page 5

REPLY TO BISHOP

MINERS' WAR EFFORT

INFLAMMATORY ATTACK

(O.O) SYDNEY, Feb. 9. The president of the Miners' Federation (Mr. Wells) made a strong reply on the week-end to an extraordinary statement by Dr. Thomas, Bishop of Willochra (South Australia) in his diocesan magazine. Dr. Thomas declared that a clear warning should be given to striking miners "who in a petulant spirit shirked their work in wartime" that they would "face the firing squad." Mr. Wells said, "We have had firing squad talk from certain reactionary politicians in this country, but to my knowledge this is the first time a follower of the Prince of Peace has been responsible for such singularly inappropriate bloodthirsty comment. These are the sort of violent outbursts that are calculated to inflame men, aggravate any difficult position that might exist, and lead to our people even questioning their country's war aims.

"One wonders whether Dr. Thomas knows anything about the lives of the mine workers and the hazardous and dangerous character of their work. Does he also know that the mine workers to-day are working harder and more continuously than ever before in their lives, and that they have smashed all production records?

"One wonders, too, whether he knows anything about the provocative actions of managers who take advantage of the great strain under which our men are labouring and pin-prick and irritate to an extent that causes trouble? At all events, one notes that there is no suggestion that such individuals should be sent to firing squads. " 'Firing squad' talk smacks of and we are fighting this war to destroy that, not to copy its insane excesses."

It is a fact, as Mr. Wells says, that the miners last year achieved a new record output, and that the short .sporadic strikes which still occur are ! the work of a small minority of irresponsibles. The other side of the picture was suggested by a unique gathering of Cessnock No. 2 Colliery on Saturday night, when owners, management and men joined in celebrating the 1060 th day of work without one stoppage. .This means, allowing for holidays, that the' mine has operated five years without the loss of one clay through industrial trouble. It was stated at the celebration that this happy result was due to the habit at the mine of prompt conference between the manager and the men whenever a grievance cropped up.