STRIKERS REPLY TO GOVERNMENT'S EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION

Chronicle (Levin), 1 March 1948, Page 5

STRIKERS REPLY TO GOVERNMENT'S EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION

(N.Z.P.A. — 2

leuter

GaomtdM)

Received Sunday, 7,.0 p.m. • . BRISBANE, February 29. The strikers yesterday threw out a defin.it e oha'ilenge to the Queensland Laboiir -Goyernment. Following the ..(iovernment's plans to alcrt the police throughout the State, union l^aclers are nmving for a call to watersiders, seamen and inter-Btate ra.il w ay- ■ rnen for an all-out strike. • > ■ Tliis threatening development oceurred as an ansxver to .the (fovernment's proclamation of a state of emergency. An offieial statement issued after yesterday 's meeting, said f "The Pr'epiier has.resorted to measures which ivill bring the Laboiir Government into eternal disgrace. Iiis faseist-like emergency measures threaten the whole trade union movemen\." The Premier, Mr.' Hanlon, announcing that the G.overnment • would assume- control of all trartsport, said that if there were not enough men to run a full transport serviee, there would .be an immediate call for volunteers. . " , . The police have made State-wide arrangements to give phot^ction to ra'ilwaymen who returu to work tomorrow. Union statements and decisions inciting Queensland railwajrmen to eontinue their 'strike, were banned yesterday by the Brisbane A class radio stations. The- ha n is only partly effective because Queensland listeners can tune in to radio .stations -in • other States.' The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, Dr. Duhig, last night appealed io tlie strikers to return to work and prevent possible bloodshed. All police leave has been caneelled and the poljee have been mobilised to meet any emergency.