GRAVELY CONCERNED

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 8 January 1930, Page 5

GRAVELY CONCERNED

FEDERAL MINISTRY i INDUSTRIAL UNREST WATEBSIDEBS AND MINER®. (United Press Association—Bj Electric Telegraph Copyright.) Becerved 11.20 a.m. to-day. SYDNEY, Jan. 8. The “Sydney Morning Herald” says the Federal Ministry is gravely concerned Avith growing unrest caused on the Avaterfront by the demand of waters iders for the immediate removal of non-unionists from every Avhnrf throughout the Common AA-ealtk.

It is revealed that the assistantMinister of Industry (Mr Beasley) recently held a .number of secret conferences Avith waterside Avorkers in Melbourne. Fears are held in Federal circles that a crisis in maritime industry is threatened, and Cabinet will give special attention to the position at a meeting next week. The central council of the Miners’ Federation has definitely endorsed a recommendation from the northern miners that all safety men be AvithdraAvn from mines closed by the associated coal owners. Officials of the Engine-drivers’ Union have, however, received definite instructions that safety men must remain at Avork.

Three south coast mines, Corrimal, Scarborough and Coalcliff, have decided in favour of an all-out policy, but other lodges voted solidly against it.

Four hundred returned soldiers at West Maitland endorsed a proposal to establish a labour defence corps, and resolved to pledge themselves to fight strennoiisly in any Avav the Miners’ Federation may direct. " The “Herald’s” Canberra correspondent says that in all probability a referendum on the question of amende ing the constitution to give increased industrial powers to the CommonAvealth Avill be held in July before the Prime Minister (Mr Scullin') departs to attend the Imperial Conference in London. It _is understood that the necessary legislation will be introduced immediately Parliament restimes .in March.