MILITANT LEADERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21201, 6 June 1932, Page 15

MILITANT LEADERS.

COMMUNISM AND UNIONISM.

CONCERN IN AUSTRALIA. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PLANS. Militant leaders of trades unions and members of Communist organisations in Sydney have decided to make a common cause, and are at present devising schemes to resist the Federal Government's legislation dealing with unlawful associations. Unquestionably, in some quarters, the legislation is causing positive alarm, particularly that part of it that deals with deportation and deregistration. Although tho majority of the union leaders are Australians, many influential positions in the union movement are held by officers who were born outsido Australia.

Of recent years, union leaders who were born in tho British Isles have acquired high executive posts in key positions, and have directed strikes that have led to a complete dislocation of industry and tremendous losses in wages. One recent strike was organised and controlled by a committee the majority of tho members of which were not born in Australia, and the chairman of which was a foreigner. Organisations that may bo affected by the proposed law include the following:— Australian Railways Union (which is affiliated with the Red International), International Class War Prisoners' Aid, militant minority movement, unemployed workers' movement, United Front Against Fascism, Workers' Defence Corps, League Against Imperialism, Workers' International Relief, and tho Communist Party. Many moderate leaders are secretly opposed to the foreign affiliations of the militant unions and the support they have accorded to tho auxiliary bodies of the Communist Party. Fearing intimidation, they have allowed the "reds" to formulate their opposition plans, knowing that later they will be forced to give effect to them.

"It would bo more than our job was worth to say anything against ''he comrades' at the present time," was a characteristic reply given to a newspaper representative. Moderate leaders frankly admitted concern for the thousands of honest, hard-working members of "red" unions who would suffer if tho continued flirtations of their militant loaders with local and oversea Communists compelled the Federal Government to deregister their unions. The attitude of tho Trades Hall "reds" is one of open defiance to the threats of tho Federal Government. Although they refuse to comment on tho matter, it is known that if the Federal Government gives effect to its legislation, they will attempt to organise strikes throughout the Commonwealth.