QUEENSLAND STRIKES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24914, 29 June 1946, Page 7

QUEENSLAND STRIKES

Secret Ballot Of Meat Workers ORDER BY STATE

GOVERNMENT

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) BRISBANE, June 28. Following the decision of the State Government under the Emergency ReSulations to order a secret ballot of le striking meat workers, the Registrar of the Industrial Court to-day took possession of the Meat Union’s membership records and will conduct a ballot. When the ballot is taken it is expected that an overwhelming majority will favour a return to work. A mass meeting of strikers to-day decided to remain out argfl to oppose any tyallot not conducted by the union. However, the majority of members of the striking unions of meat workers, coalminers and waterside workers were not at the mass meeting and the Government is making all arrangements to proceed with the ballot, which will take about a week to complete. The Railways Department has asked the Minister of Local Government ,Mr J. J. Cahill) to ration still further the consumption of electric power because railway coal stocks have fallen to a critically low level. Further cuts in railway services are feared. A week ago the Railways Department had 2774 tons of coal in stock for electricity generation, but although rail and tram restrictions saved 1400 tons, stocks have fallen to 1621 tons. In Sydney, railway employees have agreed to operate trains on Saturday afternoon, but there will be no trams from 2 p.m. to-morrow until Monday morning. Special squads of police will prevent dangerous overcrowding on suburban electric trains.

The Queensland strike has caused a shortage of margarine, which is crippling the extensive Sydney biscuit manufacturing industry. The leather trade is also affected and 40,000 employees may be laid off. In Melbourne it is-reported that coal stocks for general industry in Victoria will be the lowest on record next week. Hospitals and food processing industries are the only ones guaranteed to receive supplies. From Canberra it is reported that coal trains are arriving at regular intervals at Bunnerong and the position at the moment is secure. Although the outlook for Sunday and Monday is still doubtful it is believed that any stoppages during the week-end will be avoided. This week a total of 52.440 tons was lost by disputes and breakdowns. Eight mines are idle to-day, mostly because of strikes.

SYDNEY SHIPYARD DISPUTE

PAINTERS AND DOCKERS LAID OFF

(Rec. 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 28. Between 2500 ana 3000 painters and dockers were laid off on the Sydney waterfront to-day as a result'd the refusal of the union to call off a strike at the shipyard in Balmain and withdraw its insistence on a roster system of selection of labour.

The dispute has been referred to the Industrial Commissioner, who has called a conference of parties for Monday. NOVEL IMPOUNDED IN MELBOURNE ACTION BY CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT - (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) ' MELBOURNE, June 28 The Customs Department has impounded 100 copies of the new English novel, ‘‘Yesterday's Evening,” by Cecil Arthur Lewis. The ActingCollector of Custdms (Mr T. D. Car-

roll) said that his department had the book under review, but he added that he would make a full statement shortly. The novel, which has been on sale in Melbourne for more than a month, describes life in a northern Italian village just before the outbreak of war.