DIRECT ACTION

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 1 March 1921, Page 19

DIRECT ACTION

AUSTRALIAN UNIONS COMBINE. A FORMIDABLE SCHEME. SYDNEY, February 23. The Sydney Morning Herald states that at the recent All-unions’ Conference held in Melbourne a scheme was prepared on behalf of the Sydney unions embodying the greatest concerted effort ever attempted to compel the their demands. The immediate objectives were to compel the shipowners to abandon their demands for guarantees for the peaceful working of the shipping industry; secondly, to compel the Victorian Government to accept the award of the Coal Tribunal governing the Morwell coal scheme; thirdly, the abolition of the bureau system of engag ing wharf labourers by oversea ship owners. The Herald says it is understood that, owing to the presence of certain unions known to have a leaning towards arbitration, the discussions were carried on ,by private conversations, and the decisions communicated only to those unions which are known to be favourable to direct ac tion. The principal unions involved are the Colliery Employees’ Federation, the seamen, wharf labourers, coal trimmers, coal lumpers, and the unions associated under the Transport Workers’ Federation. The arguments used in favour of the scheme were that the present shipping and other troubles were being used by the employers as a direct challenge to unionism, and that the employers were importing men learned in strike-breaking to assist and advise them. The Herald adds : The organisers of the scheme haye been instructed to confine the actual strikes to New South Wales, the anticipation being that the cutting off if the coal supplies would cause a general hold-up of industry in Melbourne, and would achieve more than strikes could do, without the possibility of the Victorian Government formulating retaliatory measures. COUNCIL OF ACTION FORMED. MELBOURNE, February 24. The conference of unions formed a Commonwealth Council of Action, with power to order a cessation of work. All unions are requested to he in readiness to act immediately. The council’s avowed object is a general strike. The conference has ended. The preamble of the decisions reached states that the formation of a Commonwealth Council was deemed advisable, in order to combat the deliberate challenge by the employers to the strongest unions in the commonwealth. The plan includes the formation of State Councils, from which shall be drawn a proportion of members of the Commonwealth Council of Action. Part of {he duty of these State Councils will be to 6rganise the union forces to take charge of and regulate the food necessary for the working class to live. The preamble further states that the employers’ action in launching a campaign against the key industries proves that they have arranged to deliver a blow against trade unionism, which will cripple it for years. This will be accomplished unless the working classes are determined to fight the issue here and now. The preamble adds : “We clearly point out that if this fight is entered upon it must not he a 1917 fiasco, hut concerted policy action, knowing that the employing classes are eager for fight. The delegates will immediately place the proposals before their unions, and all the answers are to be in the hands of the councils before March.” GENERAL STRIKE SUGGESTION. SYDNEY, February 25. Union officials who have been consulted regarding the general strike suggestion describe it as madness . It would inevitably prove a failure. The. State Ministers are not perturbed, believing the proposal to be “ hot air ” on behalf of the extremists, who are efi’ec tively separated from most of the positions of authority in the Labour movement. MIGHT IS RIGHT. MELBOURNE, February 25. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Railways Union, the general secretary declared that when the union had reached its maximum strength, unless it got what 't wanted, it would use its strength as it thought fit. When combined in one big union it would be able to dictate terms. If the governing classes tried to put them further into slavery they would press for an industrial republic. He alleged that a well-known American strike-breaker was working for the employers. CONFERENCE REPORT ADOPTED. MELBOURNE, February 25. The Labour Council adopted the’ report of the Melbourne Conference, and decided to form 12 industrial groups along the lines suggested. AN ALLEGATION DENIED. SYDNEY, February 26. The employers flatly deny the Labour statement at the All Unions’ Conference in Melbourne that the manufacturers are desirous of a general strike, and that an agreement exists for putting off their employees in order to cause unemployment. They claim that they have done and are doing everything in their power to prevent unemployment or the disruption of the producing power, and that they have loyally obeyed the Arbitration Court awards, and are prepared now to do anything reasonable to prevent an increase of unemployment.