GLOVES OFF SOON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 168, 18 July 1942, Page 5

GLOVES OFF SOON

Australian Government Is Tired Of Mine Strikes COMPULSION HINTED Special Australian Correspondent. ;Ree. 2 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. | The Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin. has decided to talk to the miners' ! officials about the coal stoppages. He will attend a special conference o! the Miners' Federation earlv next week, when the report of the coal commissioner, Mr. Mighell, wiil be discussed. The coal position is becoming so serious that it is believed in official circles that the Government is being ! forced to the conclusion that, conciliation having failed, more forceful measures will have to be used to maintain production. Some time ago the Government took power to force strikers to work under penalty of imprisonment or call-up for the army or labour corps. That power lias not yet been exercised, but the question of compulsion will be discussed by next week's conference. Miners' Federation officials are understood to have confessed franklv that they are unable to control the unruly minority of their members the recent statement of the State miners' president, Mr. Scanlan. that the gloves should be taken off to the irresponsible minority is regarded as a "hint that the majority of miners would not question tne Government's right to discipline the men responsible for frivolous strikes. A strong hint that the Government is prepared to act against any impediment of Australia's war eftori has been given by the Labour Minister, Mr. v\ard. who said last night: "If V.f | find there is no other way we will be just as ruthless as the Nazis 1° dealing with those who oppose usWhere the Government caii ■ certain there are elements _unrec ' tive to ch;:n~c it may send i the army or somewhere eJ»e.