MALAYAN UNIONS BANNED AS FIRST STEP TO STOP VIOLENCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22663, 14 June 1948, Page 5

MALAYAN UNIONS BANNED AS FIRST STEP TO STOP VIOLENCE

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Coryrlgbt.) (11 a.m.) SINGAPORE, June 13. The Government of the Federation of Malaya has declare-! illegal the Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Unions, nine State federations of trade unions, and the Trengganu General Labour Union.

The Government ordered these bodies to dissolve,

The Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Unions, which has its headquarters at Kuala Lumpur, claims a membership of over 120,000.

The Government action was taken under the recent trade union enactment amendment which states that members of federations of trade unions must be engaged in similar trades. The Government of the Federation of Malaya is taking immediate measures to smash the wave of violence sweeping the country an dto prevent a recurrence," said the High Commissioner, Sir Edward Gent.

Extremists' Challenge to Government “There is evidence to show that most of the present violence is caused by 'extremist elements’ who are challenging the authority of the Government. “Mr. Malcolm MacDonald’s broadcast on June (j made it clear that the international Communist policy is playing an important part in the unrest. There are at present 23 strikes, backed by intimidation and threat of murder.” Government action would be directed against all agents instigating crime, whether confessed Communists cr supporters of other creeds Armed gangsters last night murdered three Chinese in the Rengam district of North Johore —two within sight of a police station Two of the victims were Kuomintang supporters. Two bandits were killed in clashes with police and European planters. Reports from Kuala Lumpur state that European planters are banding together for protection and the police stations are inundated with applications for licenses for the possession of firearms.