A.C.T.U. buys into store

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32536, 20 February 1971, Page 17

A.C.T.U. buys into store

(N.Z Press Assn.—Copyright) CANBERRA, Feb. 18.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (A.C.T.U.), the most powerful industrial body in the nation, has always been a thorn in the Government’s side, and there are indications that this situation will continue.

While Australia is facing the inflationary spiral that is hitting many countries, the A.C.T.U. has proved the most outspoken critic of the Prime Minister (Mr John Gorton). At recent discussions between national industrial organisations and Mr Gorton and his Federal Cabinet Ministers, the A.C.T.U. was virtually the only one of the 15 bodies that severely attacked the Government over the inflation issue.

Besides insisting that the Government hold a national referendum to acquire legislative powers over capital issues, consumer credit and certain rates of interest, the A.C.T.U. also recommended that the Commonwealth seek constitutional power to control prices directly.

The last issue comes after the A.C.T.U. acquiring a part interest in Bourke’s, a large Melbourne retail department store, which is now spearheading the A.C.T.U. fight for price control.

But according to the A.C.T.U. president, Mr Robert Hawke, a Rhodes Scholar and an Oxford graduate in arts, letters and law, the A.C.T.U. is heading for bigger and better things, including an insurance and hirepurchase company. Bourke’s has faced some teething troubles because of some major retailers who have refused to supply it because the store declines to participate in resale price maintenance.

“That is, we have committed in their eyes the sin of wishing to supply the public with goods at too low a price,” Mr Hawke told Mr Gorton.

He gave as examples of those refusing to supply the ! store the Kodak Company and

Wiltshire Cutlery Company, though Kodak has now changed its mind and is supplying Bourke’s.

Just what Mr Hawke and the A.C.T.U. think of Mr Gorton’s efforts to control the economy is clearly shown in one of the A.C.T.U. leader’s statements at the conference with the Prime Minister. “Until you acquire and exercise the powers necessary to properly regulate the economy, including the power to prevent these pernicious practices (resale price maintenance) then you really cannot expect us or any other reasonable people to take you seriously,” he said.

There are now indications that Mr Gorton will soon face another strong attack, this time from the Labour Party Opposition, which is planning a motion of no confidence in the Government over its economy moves. But although Mr Hawke does not really believe Mr Gorton will pay much heed to him, or anyone else, he sees his plans for more stores along the lines of Bourke’s, and the insurance company, hire-purchase company and other projected businesses as moving the A.C.T.U. towards a future of great strength in Australia.