MILITANT LEADERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21668, 11 June 1932, Page 15

MILITANT LEADERS

' -<w- —. COMMUNISM AND UNIONISM CONCERN IN AUSTRALIA. Militant leaders of trades unions and members of Communist organisations in bydney 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 deregistfation. Although the majority of the union leaders are Australian, many influential positions in the union movement are held by officers who were born outside Australia. Of recent years union leaders who were born in the 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 the members of which were not born in Australia, and the chairman of which was a foreigner. Organisations that may be affected by the proposed law include the following:— Australian Railways Union (,which is affiliated with the Rod 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 the Communist Party. Many moderate leaders are secretly opposed to the foreign affiliations of the militant unions and tfio support they have accorded to the 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 be more than our job was worth to say anything against ‘ the 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-workine members of “ red ” unions who would suffer if the continued flirtations of their militant leaders with local and oversea Communists compelled the Federal Government to deregister their unions. The attitude of the Trades Hall “ reds ’ is one of open defiance to the threats of the Federal Government. Although they refuse to comment on the matter, it is known that if the Federal Government gives effect to its legislation they will attempt to organise strikes throughout the Commonwealth.