“TO CALL A HALT”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21581, 7 December 1944, Page 6

“TO CALL A HALT”

REACTIONARY plans AUSTRALIAN MINERS GOVERNMENT PRODDED (Special Australian Correspondent). (9 a;m:) SYDNEY. Dec. G. The miners' leaders, declaring that reactionary forces are dictating the policy of the Commonwealth Government. speak of plans for mobilising all the trade unions “to call a halt.” They claim that these reactionary forces .-.re aiming at a general strike, and warn- the miners they must do everything possible to avoid this. A statement issued to-day by the miners’ leaders says: “It is clear from the Government reply to recent proposals by the union that it lias chosen to accept the advice of press magnates, coal owners, and Opposition politicans.” The union had sought the right of the Miners’ Federation to discipline its own members —a question strongly raised by the strikers against the garnisheeing of wages for court fines imposed for absenteeism. It had also pressed for national control’ of a group of mines. Both requests were refused by the Government. The Government's attitude left the miners with no alternative but to recommend that the “whole forces of Labour»and the progressive people of the country call a halt.” - “We do this because the war is not yet'won, the coal is needed, and because- reaction inside Australia, no longer fearful or even concerned about the outcome of the war, is spliting the Labour movement.” adds the statement. “We ask for the complete confidence «f all mine workers, backed by iron self-discipline.” Discussion of Coal Problems The Central Council, the supreme body of the Miners’ Federation, today will discuss coal problems with the executive of the Australian Council; Of Trades Unions, which speaks for-the whole trade-union movement. The’ outcome of the discussions imist be of great importance to the Federal Government, which is still gravely pre-occupied over the coal situation. The Minister for War Organisation of Industry. Mr. J. J. Dedman, to-day appealed to the miners to produce as much coal as possible between now and Christmas. Although coal stocks were’ higher now than for some months, this did not mean that the position was safe, he said. Stocks at the end of the miners’ holidays would be critically low. The executive of the Australian Council of Trade Unions has already criticised the Federal Government, and it’s delegates have been instni Red to remind the Australian Labour Party that many decisions of the party conference last December have noi yet been implemented. The Trade Union’ Council will also press for an easing of the wage-pegging regulations’, the immediate introduction of 14' days’ minimum annual holiday for all workers, uniform war and prosperity loadings to be added to the basic wage, an endowment for all children, and the 40-hour week, to operate within six months of the cessation of hostilities.