TO STOP STRIKES

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1943, Page 1

TO STOP STRIKES

DRASTIC AUSTRALIAN MEASURES.

CANBERRA, May 18.

An indication that the full Cabinet will be asked to sanction drastic measures towards industrial stoppages affecting Australia’s war effort, has been given by the Prime Minister (Mr Curtin). Political correspondents believe that he will ask Cabinet to declare all strikes illegal, and to sanction a call-up of strikers in protected industries. Questioned on the statement, in which he described the interruptions of war work as “treachery,” Mr Curtin agreed that his choice of this word had special significance. He said: “Maintaining the offensive against the enemy involves stupendous labour, and much detailed planning. Schedules must, be maintained if the project is to be carried outInterruption to any detail can involve complete frustration of the entire project. The men who suffer are the lighting foices. because the full equipment, - as planned, may not be available for them, as the result of delays in launching the offensive. The delay in turning a ship around promptly, may cause loss of life, because the ship may miss the convoy and become a target for the lurking enemy.”

Mr Curtin’s reference to wharves and coal mines is considered significant. Unrest on the Sydney waterfront .and the serious loss 'of coal production are immediate factors which have forced the Government to consider disciplinary measures.