AUSTRALIAN LABOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16360, 24 February 1921, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR.

A COUNCIL OF ACTION. ARBITRARY POWERS. GENERAL STRIKE EXPECTED. By Telejjrapli—Picas Association —Copyright. Australian and Is.Z. Cable Association (Received February 24, 10.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, February 24. The All Unions’ Conference formed a Commonwealth Council of Action, with power to order cessation of work by all unions, and requested it -to be in readiness to act immediately. The council’s avowed object iB a general strike* PREAMBLE OF DECISIONS. EMPLOYERS’ CHALLENGE, UNIONS PREPARE FOR CONCERTED ACTION, Bt Ts!#irrapk—Pi*u Association—Copjrig’kt Australian and H.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 24, 12.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 24. The All Unions Conference has ended. 'The preamble of the decisions reached states that the formation of a Commonwealth Council is deemed advisable, in order to combat the deliberate challenge by the employers to tho strongest unions of the Commonwealth. The plan includes the formation of State Councils, from which will be drawn a proportion of members of the Commonwealth Council of Action. Part of the duty of these State Councils will be to organise tlie union forces and to take charge of and regulate the food necessary for the working class to liveThe 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 trades 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 (dearly point out that if this right is entered upon, it must not be a 1917 fiasco, but concerted policy action, knowing that the employing classes are eager for a 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.