UNIONS RUN AUSTRALIA

Chronicle (Levin), 21 February 1947, Page 8

UNIONS RUN AUSTRALIA

ph Press Assj

Commoawealtii Preraier Adraits Defeat

Bv Telegra

i-Covuright

Received Tliursday, 9.15 p.rti. CAN4ERRA; Feb. 20. Mr. Chifieyv told the House of Representatives today that he was eompl'etely unabfe to enforce the law against a million workers affected by the decision of tlie Australasian Council of Trade Unions to strike May 1. Branding the strike decisfon as foolish, 3Ir. Chifley expressed regret that Australian trades unionists should allow themselves to be led into decisions and resolutions 011 industrial matters which "can only final Iy lead to industrial and economic cliaos " He was replying to a bitter four point attack by Mr. Menzies who was speaking to 'a censui'e inotion. Mr. Menzies first attack - ed the appointment to Government positions of the defeated Labour members Messrs Breen, Frost, Martens, Mountjoy and Wiison. "Kaeh appointment represehts the provision by the (Tovernment of a pension to an ex-member, ont of publie moneys and is nothing more," said Mr. Menzies. Objection to Mr. MeKell's appointment as Governor-( Jeneral was not that Mr. MeKell was a Labour man. or Australian but that he wasj at the moment of the anLiouncement oi' the appointment the Premier of an Australian State and actively engaged as a partisan leader in Australian political affairs. Industrial strikes during the past year had b^en almost entirely politieal, for example, against wage pegging. Particularly in the Communist controlled unions. the strikes revealed a desire to control general and commercial and soeial poliey, and activit.y' through industrial action. There had been organised attempt's to terrori.se the Arbitration Court and so destroy its independenee and value.0 ; Mr. Chifley said that he did not believe eoercive action would sitc ceed on a million men. He accepted full responsibility for the appointment of Mr. McKell ano offered no apology.