COAL STRIKES IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26353, 22 February 1951, Page 7

COAL STRIKES IN AUSTRALIA

CABINET ACTION SOUGHT

(Rec. 7 Dm.) SYDNEY. February 21. The Minister of Labour (Mr E. H. Holt) will ask the Federal Cabinet to take action against miners and watersiders who are engaged in disputes against Arbitration Court findings. He made a statement that the Government was determined to do something about the disputes after the Arbitration Court in Melbourne had dismiss’d a charge of contempt against Idris Williams, general president of the Miners’ Federation.

Though the reasons for the dismissal were not given, it is understood that four judges on the Bench of the full Arbitration Court failed to reach agreement as to whether in August, 1949. Williams gave any clear undertaking to obey the law of the country above union law and to refrain from strike agitation. The Bench took the view that the offence must be proved beyond all reasonable doubt, and so dismissed the ease.

Commenting on the decision, the Minister of Supply (Mr Howard Beale) said: “If that is the law. we will have to try again.' One thing is certain; this Government is determined that the fight against the Communists m'”t be won.”

The Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) spent last night in conference witn the Premier of South Australia (Mr T. Playford), the Premier of Victoria .r and the Victorian Minister of Transport (Mr H j. nyland) on the subject of coal supplies. The position in Victoria is understood to be very grave. .