DUTCH SHIPPING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26096, 8 March 1946, Page 5

DUTCH SHIPPING

DELAYS IN AUSTRALIA GOVERNMENT CENSURED LACK OF FIRM POLICY (Rec. 8 p.m.) CANBERRA, Mar. 7. In moving a vote of censure on the Government, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr R. G. Menzies, attacked the Government on three grounds—for allowing a section of Australia’s waterside workers to dictate the foreign policy of the country, for failing to respond adequately to Britain’s appeal for food, and for failing in its approach to post-war industry. He said that during the past two years the Government *had been repeatedly warned that food production would be affected by a shortage of man-power in the rural industries. Australia came out of the war with a manufacturing capacity undreamed of years ago. This must be used and markets outside its own 7,000,000 people must be sought. Industrial problems should be attacked by the use of bonuses and profit-sharing systems and a reduction of taxes. Replying, the Prime Minister, Mr J. B. Chifley, said that when the Indonesians walked off Dutch ships in Australia a liability was thrown on the

Government, ©f 25 ships most had got away, and only a few were now left. Crews could not be obtained, as crew after crew of Dutch nationals joined the strike. When the first conference on the question was held some ships were being loaded with arms and ammunition. It was felt on the waterfront that Australia should not be associated with the supply of military material for what was in effect a civil war in Indonesia. At conference after conference he had tried to find some solution which would not create disturbances and hold up food for Britain and other nations. Editors Not Essential The workers had done some stupid things, but “ newspaper editors getting the highest remuneration, under the very best conditions of work, set out to lecture the wharf labourers and coal miners. It would not matter if all editors knocked off work to-morrow, but if a miner, watersider, or winchman knocked off that would make all the difference,” he said. He went on to announce that an agreement had been reached on the Dutch shipping question, and the unions had "been directed to expedite loading. Mr A. W. Fadden, Leader of the Country Party, also attacked the Government’s action.