ATTACK BY EMPLOYERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18512, 24 March 1922, Page 8

ATTACK BY EMPLOYERS

SYDNEY, March 16. Fears of a concerted attack on the part of employers throughout Australia to reduce wages and lengthen hours is expressed in an official report prepared by the representatives of the unions which participated in the recent Economic Conference called by the Prime Minister. Ini the report they state that from the deliberations of the conference it is evident that “at least a section of the employers is out to smash down wages and to lengthen hours at any cost.” The report goes on to say:—“Anothersection has progressed to the level of the employers in those great industrial centres of Europe, where industrial reorganisation is taking place, and is prepared to offer the workers a medium of control in the management of industry.” “There is apparently a concensus of opinion forming amongst the employers favourable to the introduction ■ of some form of unemployment maintenance.” “No time should be lost in consolidating and co-ordinating .the trade union forces of the Commonwealth to meet the offensive of the die-hard section of the employers against the wages and hours of the workers.” “The delegates of those organisations represented at the Economic Conference are of opinion that the Council of Action should immediately decide upon a general plan of, campaign to meet the impending attack of the employers. Co-ordinated action is imperative if the working class is to withstand the coming onslaught of the employing class.”