A “KING” RETIRES

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 February 1949, Page 6

A “KING” RETIRES

HE WAS NOT TROUBLED BY COMMUNISTS

Broken Hill, that strange city of the Australian outback, had a king, uncrowned, but none the less a king. But now he has retired.

His name is Paddy O’Neill. Judged by results, he is probably Australia’s most expert industrial psychologist. But use those words in front of him, and . . "Whoa, now, wait a minute”— he wouldn’t know what you were talking about. At least, he would pretend not to.

Paddy began his career as the driver of a night-cart. For the past 25 years, as president of the famous Barrier Industrial Council, he has virtually ruled the silver city of Broken Hill.

He has been president of this "parliament” of all the unions in this 100 per cent, unionist city since the Council’s inception in 1923. And to him, probably more than any one else, can be attributed Broken Hill’s record of practically unbroken industrial peace over two decades. Paddy doesn’t have to worry much about Communists. They are weak in Broken Hill. This brief dialogue, was overheard in Sulphide Street a few weeks ago (all the streets in the Hill are given names of metals although, strangely there is no Lead or Zinc Street), illustrates why:—

Communist: Why do you provide all these things—good working conditions, showers, canteens, sports oval and so on?

Mine Manager; Don’t you think the men deserve them?

Communist: Yes, but the men should have to fight for them instead of having them served up on a platter. Mine Manager: Don't you think they’ve been fighting long enough? Communist: What do you hope to get out of it anyway? Mine Manager: The men pulling with us.

Communist: How long do you think it will take to get full co-operation? Mine Manager: Ten, 15, maybe 20 years. Communist: And you’re prepared to look that far ahead Mine Manager: Yes. Communist: I don’t get it.