DIRECT ACTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 151, 23 December 1938, Page 9

DIRECT ACTION

SYDNEY UNIONS' THREAT

CLOSING OF 2KY

.LABOUR FRENZY

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) (Received December 23, 9 a.m.), SYDNEY, December 22. Tbe action of the Postmaster* General, Mr. A. G. Cameron, ia withdrawing the licence of the Labour radio station, 2KY, is cause ing widespread comment and substantial disapproval in political and other quarters. Judging from statements published in today's "Sun," some of the Government's own supporters regard Mr. Cameron's action as high-handed . and likely to have serious political t repercussions, particularly in view of the recent clash of the Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. H. V. C Thorby, with the Leader of the Op- _ position, Mr. J. Curtin. A prominent member of the United Australia Party,' Mr. W. McCall, declared: "It is not easy to imagine any statement made from 2K.Y more dangerous than that lor which one oi Mr. Lyons's own Cabinet colleagues has just apologised." ■ : The main development today was tha [decision of Mr. R. King, president of the Sydney Trades and Labour Council, which controls- 2KY, to fly to South, ■■ Australia to make contact with Mr. Cameron with a view to inducing him to reconsider the ban.' Mr. Cameron announced from Adelaide today that she is prepared to negotiate with re- ■ presentatives of 2KY, but he declined to disclose his reason for putting tha station off the air. -• LABOU* DEMONSTRATION. A large number of Labour enthusi- ' asts demonstrated today in the Sydney streets against Mr. Cameron, registering through loudspeakers a lusty protest over the stifling of free speech. Labour organisations are in a frenzy i over the peremptory closing of their [station and are preparing a public meeting of protest by business men, I advertisers, and sympathisers generally. They are also preparing petitions for signature' throughout the ' i State. Certain key unions. are threatening' direct action. The metal trades contemplate irritation strikes on defesc* ' contracts and munitions and power- ; house employees are considering a , partial blackout of the city. : Officials of 2KY declare that they are receiving sympatheic messages I from listeners in all parts of the State. A report from Adelaide tonight states that Mr. Cameron refuses to btt stampeded by Labour threats and resents accusations that he is attempting. a dictatorship, and he is getting quite used to the designation % of Fascist ;when something is done by a Cabinet ; Minister which is disapproved by a ■ person who is affected.