AIMED AT GOVERNMENT

Evening Star, Issue 26000, 15 January 1947, Page 8

AIMED AT GOVERNMENT

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES CONTROLS THE MAIN PROBLEM (From C. IR. Mentipiay, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) SYDNEY, Jan. 14. The barrage of and threats of direct action under which Australian industry is disappearing in the first weeks of the new year is proof that an assault by unions against Governmentimposed controls on wages, prices, and hours is in full swing. A remarkable feature is the revolt by employers against controls, which in the closure of the butchers’ shops in Sydney and Newcastle takes on a guise of the bitterest of political strikes. When Labour, was first organised inorder to secure for itself the betterment ‘of wages .and conditions, the strike weapon was recognised as a dangerous, two-edged sword to be used sparingly against,employers. But the Australian Governments,. both State and Federal, have .moved into : industry by imposing a, variety, of controls, the praiseworthy aim of which is to keep down the cost of living: It is the Government which fixes maximum wages, hours, and prices. Thus the' Government already, because of- its ownership of public utilities, is -the greatest*employer in the Commonwealth and becomes the chief target.for -direct action on the part of employers and employees alike. Of eight disputes, three 'of which are in the strike stage, every one is directed in some way at the Government. The gas employees in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide are striking for double time for Sunday work, time. and a-half for Saturday work, additional annual leave for shift workers, and a minimum wage of £6 18s a week. According to the Government-imposed controls, these wage's and hours cannot be granted by the employers. ; The men refuse to accept the /assurance that the Arbitration Court will deal with the matters in dispute. As Mr Justice Drake Brockman"refuses to consider the matters in arbitration while the men remain on strike, most of Sydney is without gas, aud the three cities, which together hold nearly half of Australia’s population, are existing on a meagre and lieavily-restricted supply. CUMBROUS UNION MACHINERY. The union machinery is so cumbrous and opinion so divided, even in the Federal Council, of the Gas Employees’ Union, that a decision in! favour of settlement t6-day could not be implemented until approved by mass meetings of the strikers in three States. This could mean, uo gas for another week; ,; : The employers entered the assault, on Government controls when, on January 6, Sydney aud Newcastle butchers closed as a protest against uncontrolled live stock prices, and alleged inefficient policing of wholesale meat prices. The Government has taken no action, though Sydney and Newcastle have been without, meat for eight days. TRANSPORT UNREST. ’ Sydney tram and bus men will hold another one-day strike on Monday next if they are not granted a five-day 40-hour week, double time for Sundays, and time and a-half for Saturdays. These claims cannpt be met under the law.

The watersiders are considering direct action ■in an t. attempt to win holidays with pay, in’spite of the fact that their, claim wasr,'recently turned, down, by the. Arbitration Court Sydney taxi drivers are in an acth boycott against the Government de'' - sion to bail .multiple fares. Po,' • ■ workers, are' demanding'.substantial <• creases in pay and tax . exemption ■*. all’salaries under £3oo.yearly. Di -yard employers have locked-out men because 28 crane, walked out after their illegal'request for an increase of £1 weekly had bqetv Vefu-ed. In every case either the’ Federal or the State Government has power to break the hold-up, but in‘no ease has this even been attempted. \ On previous showings it is unlikely that any Government will:, take the'drastic steps of disciplining ,'the: : irresponsibles and rabble rousers. ...