STRIKE THREATS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19820, 23 December 1938, Page 5

STRIKE THREATS

CHECK TO RADIO

SYDNEY LABOUR STATION STREET DEMONSTRATIONS “STIFLING FREE SPEECH” NEGOTIATION PENDING (Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 23, 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 23.

The Federal Minister of Civil Aviation. Mr. IT. V. C. Thorby, yesterday telephoned an apology to the leader of the Federal Opposition, Mr. J. Curtin, at Perth for the statements to which Mr. Curtin took exception this week.

‘‘l regret any heated remarks regarding you and offer you my apology and seasonal greetings,” said Mr. Thorby. Mr. Curtin told the press in an interview at. Perth that he freely accepted the apology. He regarded the matter closed and had reciprocated with seasonal greetings.

Widespread repercussions have followed the action of the PostmasterGeneral, Mr. A. Cameron, on Wednesday afternoon in withdrawing the license of the Labour broadcasting station, 2KY, presumably as a result of statements emanating from the station news commentator upon the dispute at Port Kcmbla concerning the loading of pig iron for Japan and the controversy between Mr. Thorby and Mr. Curtin, one remark picturing Mr. Thorby as trying to run Australia “with a spittoon in one hand and a smoking gun in the other.” Government Critics . Substantial disapproval is shown in political and other quarters. Judging from statements published yesterday some of the Government’s owm supporters regard Mr. Cameron’s action as highhanded and likely to have serious political repercussions, coupled with Mr. Thorby’s recent clash with the Leader of the Opposition.

A prominent member of the United Australia Party, Mr. W. McCall, declared that it would not be asyy to imagine any statement made from 2KY more dangerous than that for which one of Mr. J. A. Lyons’ own Cabinet members had just apologised. The main development yesterday was the decision of Mr. R. King, the president of the Sydney Trades and Labour Council, which controls 2KY, to fly to South Australia to make eontact with Mr. Cameron with a view to inducing him to reconsider the ban.

Prepared to Negotiate

Mr. Cameron announced from Adelaide yesterday that he was prepared to negotiate with representatives of 2KY, but declined to disclose the reason for putting the station off the air. A large number of Labour Party enthusiasts yesterday demonstrated in Sydney streets against Mr. Cameron, registering through loudspeakers a lusty protest concerning the “stifling of free speech.” Labour Party organisations are in a frenzy over the peremptory closing of their station, and are preparing a public meeting of protest by business people, advertisers, and sympathisers generally and also petitions for signature throughout the State. Key Unions’ Threat

Certain key unions are threatening direct action. The metal trades contemplate irritation strikes on defence contracts and munitions. Power house employees are considering a partial blackout in the city. Officials of 2KY declare that they arc receiving sympathetic messages from listeners in all parts of the State. Mr. Cameron stated in Adelaide last night that he refused to be stampeded by Labour threats. He resented the accusations that he was attempting a dictatorship. He said he was getting quite used to the designation of Fascist when something was done by a Cabinet Minister which was disapproved of by the person affected.