BOYCOTT TALK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19988, 13 July 1939, Page 5

BOYCOTT TALK

FEDERAL UNIONS NATIONAL REGISTRATION PROBLEM FOR CABINET EARLY .POLL POSSIBLE NEED FOR INFORMATION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. July 13, 11.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, July 13. A tense atmosphere prevailed when the conference of representatives of 70 Federal unions resumed yesterday.

The delegates accepted the ruling bv the Chairman, Mr. R. King, M.L. C., Sydney, that the conference was committed in advance to boycott the national register by the previous day’s decision by the Australian Council of Trades Unions. Therefore, the business of yesterday’s conference was to prepare plaits ■ for industrial action to protect members who might b e penalised for not signing the register cards.

It was claimed that the industrial movement was faced with the most momentous issue in union history in the possible unsetting, by boycott or strike action, the Federal legislation. The militants had a strong majority yesterday.

Those representatives not supporting the boycott expressed frank views o n the dangers involved.

Strength of Militants

The militants claimed yesterday that they were assured of a sufficient mass to support the boycott and that no political party was strong enough to attempt wholesale prosecutions for failure to sign. The opinion was expressed, however, that the Australian Council of Trades Unions might offer to review the boycott decision if the Government removed from the register legislation provisions which the unions consider endanger labour rights and civil liberties.

Late last night it was reported that the conference had almost unanimously decided to support the boycott and fake whatever industrial action was thought fit to protect those refusing to sign the registration forms.

The P-rrnie Minister, Mr. R. G. Menzies, indicated upon his arrival at Perth yesterday that he was prepared to take up*the challenge and fight the election on the issue whether the law relating to the national register should be obeyed, or whether one section of the community should be permitted to flout it.

Mr. Menzies was referring to the Australian Council of Trades Union’s decision reaffirming the boycott plan.

He added that the register was intended to furnish information enabling the Government to allot _to each volunteer in a lame of crisis the class of work for which he was best fitted. The question of conscription was not involved.

Future Empire Arsenal

The Minister of Customs, Mr. N. J. Lawson, who is also visiting Perth, declared: “Ultimately I think Australia will develop into an Empire arsenal in the Pacific for supply to the British Dominions and colonies and friendly Powers. Meanwhile, Australia was desperately engaged in filling her own requirements in armaments and munitions.”

Press representatives at Canberra predict a lightning election by September 9. It is stated that a double dissolution would not be sought.

Those well informed claim that a widespread sabbtage of the national register would compel the Prime Minister to seek a mandate to enforce the observance of the law. The House of Representatives .thus only is affected.

Mr. Menzies issued a statement in Perth, however, denying that he is contemplating an early federal election. He said he had not discussed ■the question with other Ministers.