NO GOVERNMENT ACTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23316, 27 September 1945, Page 5

NO GOVERNMENT ACTION

N.S.W. Strikes’ Opposition Critical <11.5 p.m.) CANBERRA. Sept. 26. With many thousands of workers on strike in New South Wales industries. the House of Representatives debated a motion by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr R. G. Menzies, respecting disputes. Mr Menzies moved the adjournment of the House to discuss “the Government's failure take effective steps to settle the present widespread disputes in New South Wales.” The motion was lost bv 37 votes to 17. The Prime Minister. Mr J. B. Chifley, replying to Mr Menzies, said: "I am not going to join any crusade to crucify the workers. If the present troubles could be settled by prosecuting the strikers, then prosecutions would be launched in the interests of the country, but they could not. Nearly all the strikes began in defiance of union leaders, and if the unions could not force their members back to work, he was sure prosecutions would not I will not do anything that does not bear the mark of common sense. I am not going to recommend the Government to take action when it . will only aggravate matters, human nature being what it is.” Opening the debate. Mr Menzies said the Government's policy in the handling of strikes was one of “utter and contemptible surrender.” He added that unless the Government comes- to life and takes strong action, this picture will become internationally contemptible. The real issue to-day was not between the Government and the Opposition, but “who is to exercise authority in relation to industrial laws—the Government or such nriiitant unions, usually Conununist-led—-as agree to defy the law?’ If the Government was not prepared to enforce the law it should repeal it and make it clear that anarchy was the law—that the law was “each for himself.” . :