WORKERS’ STAND.

Grey River Argus, 13 February 1929, Page 5

WORKERS’ STAND.

AGAINST EXPLOITATION. In Australia. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received February 12 at 10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 12. The Australian Trades Union Council, sitting in Melbourne to-day, replied to Mr Latham, Federal Attorney General’s telegrams appealing for peace in the timber industry. Tbe reply discloses an uncompromising attitude towards the Federal Arbitration Court. The reply says: “The present industrial turmoil is the result of your Government’s attack on the workers conditions. Your Government can cure the position as easily as it caused it by calling off the attacks on the workers’ s'andards of living and on the vital forty-four hour principle.” Mr Latham further replied, saying: "My Government declines to accept the suggestion that the decisions of the Arbitration Court are to be accepted by the Unions only when in their favour. Trades Unions themselves joined in procuring the submission of the forty-four hour question to the Court. I greatly regret that you ean give no better response to my appeal than to repeat discredited political catchwords.”

THE COURT’S ATTITUDE. A SIGNIFICANT INSTANCE. MELBOURNE, February 12. An application was made by the Federated Carters’ and Drivers Union to withdraw thlir claims from the Federal Arbitration Court today. It was dismissed by Judge Lukin, who pointed out that no Union had a right to exercise the option to withdraw its claims from the Court without the consent of the respondents.

NOTICE FOB MINERS. FROM N.S.W. COAL OWNERS. SYDNEY, February 12. It is generally expected that a fortnight’s notice will be served on the Northern miners this week. The position is described by Union officials as darker than in I*l7. It has been precipitated by the simultaneous extension of the timber works’s’ strike, and the threatened closing of the northern coal mines. The Miners’ Council is sending a deputation to the Prime Minister, asking for a Royal Commission to inquire into the industry. It is now feared that common cause will . be made of the two disputes, resulting in an unprecedented industrial upheaval.

THE MINERS’ STAND. * LONDON TORY PRESS CRITICISM. (Received February 12 at 10.30 p.m ) LONDON, February 12. Commenting on Mr Bruce, the Aus tralian Premier’s suggestion to thb coal miners of New South Wales, the “Express” states: There is no rea son why the profits of the industry should not be disclosed, if thereby industrial delations miglht be Ym proved. The “Daily Telegraph” says: Such a system has existed in the coal in-' dustry here in Britain for some years past, without preventing the most disastrous stoppage in its history.” It adds: “It is the spirit operating on one side, or on both, that determines the issue of either conflict or peace, and Australia, it seems, has still to reckon with influences that have made tragedy here the industrial record of recent vears. ’ ’