“NO DEPARTURE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27112, 21 June 1949, Page 5

“NO DEPARTURE”

SETTLEMENT BY PROPER

PROCESS

GOVERNMENT REMAINS FIRM Rec. 11 p.m. CANBERRA. June 20 “The decision to stage a general strike is a wholly unreasonable and' unjustifiable repudiation of conciliation and arbitration at a time when those processes: are in the actual course of effective functioning,” said the Prime Minister. Mr Chifley, and the Premier .South Wales. Mr McGirr, in a joint statement on the threatened coal strike. “The decision, if adhered to, will lead to mass unemployment for workers in many industries not immediately associated with the coalmining hardship and inconvenience on almost evety member of the Australian-com-munity. The miners themselves will be heavily involved in loss and inconffenience.

“Let this be thoroughly understood: This dispute must finally be settled by the proper arbitral tribunal and not otherwise. “It is far abetter for all concerned that this be done sooner rather than later The Commonwealth Government is determined that mdustrial disputes shall be settled by the processes of conciliation and arbitration It believes moreover, that the great majority of the mining union workers favour this system. No threats or strikes, however prolonged, will influence the Government’s policy in this matter.”