One of Men Behind Strike In Queensland

Chronicle (Levin), 27 March 1948, Page 5

One of Men Behind Strike In Queensland

(N.Z-PJ. L-

-Reuter-

CoDvriaht)

Receivecl Friday, 8.35 p.m. ■JBR1SBANL, March 26. The police have begun a Com-monwealth-wide search for a leading Corumunist (Rdward Joseph. Rowc) who yesterday was sentenc,ed to imprisonmeiit for contempt oi' Court by tampering with ballot papers. Rowe, oue of the men behind the Queensland rail and port sti'ike, lel't North Bi'isbane in a ear after receivipg a summ'ons to appear before the Court. Yesterday the Court in his abserico fined hihi £60 with £31 costs and ordered hiin to be gaoled until the fine was paid "and until furiher orders." Fowe is'a member of tbe Federal Counci] of the AmalgamatodFngineering Union and of the central committee oftlie Communist Party. Tle arrived in Brisbane ;:oon after tbe strike bcgan early in February to act as general adviser to the dis])utes' committee and in the last six weoks has addressed many meetings oi' strikers • After allegations of thexlesti'uc- . O tion of the Indiistrial ('ourt ballot papers he was served with a summons. Since then the poliee have commepeed a search of Queensland roads, aii-poyts and railway stations and have extended their iiuiuiries to New South AVales and VictrTria. It is thought that Rowe. who has not been sighted since Wednesday cvening, is heading for his hoiho State, Vietoria. ' 1 f 1'ound in the southem State, proeeedings will be takou undor the Commonwealth Act for his extradition to Queensland to serve liis sentenee.