Drastic Australian Steps To Stop Strikes

Northern Advocate, 18 May 1943, Page 2

Drastic Australian Steps To Stop Strikes

<I.3G P-tn.i CANBERRA, This Day. An indication that the full Cabinet will be asked to sanction drastic measures to end industrial stoppages .'.fleeting Australia’s war effort lias been given by the Prime Minister (Mr. Curtin). Political correspondents believe Mr. Curtin will ask Cabinet to declare all •trikes illegal, and to sanction the call'd' of strikers in protected industries. Questioned on a statement in which lie described interruptions of war work 'is "treachrry," Mr. Curtin agreed that bis choice of this word had special ' ignilieance. He said: ‘‘Maintaining the offensive against the enemy involves •lupor.dot's labour and much detailed Manning Schedules must be maintain'd if the project is to be carried out. !nU". iT.piion of any detail can involve ’ompletc frustration of an entire project. The men who suffer are the fighting forces, because full equipment ns planned may not be available for them as c. result of delays in assembling supplies or transport. Shortage cl' coal may involve delay in launching r.n offensive. Delay in turning a ship mound promptly may cause loss of life because the ship may miss a convoy and become a target for a lurking enemy. Significant Pilfering Mr. Curtin’s reference to wharves and coalmines is considered significant. Unrest o ntiie Sydney waterfront, and serious loss in coal production, are the immediate factors which have forced the Government to consider disci p 1 innry mensures.