VICTORIAN EMERGENCY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26451, 3 May 1947, Page 7

VICTORIAN EMERGENCY

USE OF VOLUNTEERS PROPOSED

BITTER DEBATE IN HOUSE

CANBERRA, May 2.

The Leader of the Opposition Mr R G. Menzies. called on the Federal Government to provide transport to meet the Victorian strike emergency, and protect the men who volunteered to man vehicles. . His speech brought a bitter debate in the House of Representatives, which continued until the House adjourned.

Anarchy the Alternative

Mr Menzies said the Government might soon have to choose between anarchy and direct action. It seemed to regard the dispute as merely a Melbourne affair, but the hold-up> of production in Victorian factories was affecting other States. If the transport of people to work by normal means was to be prohibited by a jawless minority then the Government itself must provide transport. It must or ganise that transport call f °r volunteers to man the and give protection to the volunteers. If tm. Government did not recruit men and special constables the only; and one which he would deplore was that citizens would or g ams ,f. irregular bands. 11 1 have a violent objection to anything that looks like a private army, but a force should organised by the Government, he concluded

Motives Impugned

The Minister of Transport Mr Ward, accused Mr Menzies of trying to influence voting in the New South Wales election. He said the Labour Party had been exerting all efforts to find a solution, but Mr Menzies did not want one until the New South Wales and Queensland elections were over. The easiest way to cause strife and bloodshed was Mr Menzies suggestion that the community should be organised into irregular armies, i was an invitation to the workers to prepare to resist any attempt that might be made against them. Mr Waid said Mr Menzies wanted a repetition ot the days when workers were shot on the Melbourne waterfront. The Minister of Information, Mr Calwell said Mr Menzies’s speech was the wildest and most provocative made in Parliament for years. The deputy-leader of the Country Party. Mr McEwan, said that the House had heard speeches from two Ministers who showed themselves as supporters of the strike. Never had there been a more terrifying, revelation