UNION TERRORISM.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17470, 2 June 1922, Page 11

UNION TERRORISM.

ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP HOUSE. HOBART. May 23. The little township of Geeveston, in the Huon district, hag been under organised terrorism, during the last fortnight, arising out of a dispute between union officials audi the Huon Timber Company. There is considerable distress among timber workers owing to the stagnant state of the industry, caused chiefly by the unpayable rates and conditions imposed by the Federal timber workers' award. The Huon Timber Company has been making alterations to its mill to enable it to perform twice as much work as formerly—cut 00,000 ft a day—and employ additional men. To facilitate getting timber out, the level of a tram line has to be lowered, and it ia in connexion with thi3 work that trouble has arken. The work was let by contract. Union officials contended that it was work in connexion with the mill and should bo done by day labour, under the conditions of the Federal award. The company contended that it was acting under an award dealing with railways, tramways, and pick and shovel men, and was within its rights in letting the work to a contractor. The work would give employment to 50 men for eight or 10 wesk3, and many unemployed were only to glad to take the work. Union officials, however, declared the work "black," and pickets were posted throughbut the district. All strangers were warned not to take a job. In spite of this, several men took jobs, and five or six of them were set upon by a party of 50 men, including a union organiser, and badly knocked about. Police assistance was obtained, and other men were signed on. The extremists then issued a warning to tradesmen not to supply these men with goods, and those who did so were boycotted. On )Saturday night the extremists forced the proprietors of the picture show to have those who were working on the tramline removed from the hall. Upon this being done, the men were assaulted. When all these methods failed the extremists decided on more violent measures, and last nignt the boardinghouse where the contractor for the tramway, and his men were staying, and which also contained women and children, was partly blown up with felignite. The house was severely amaged, windows being shattered and doors being blown off. The report was heard five miles away. A strong force of police has been sent to the district.