“A POLITICAL THUG”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 138, 1 September 1927, Page 11

“A POLITICAL THUG”

QUEENSLAND DISPUTE ATTACK ON PREMIER By Cable.—Press Association.-—Copyright Reed. 10.55 a. m. SYDNEY, To-day. The New South Wales State Council of the Australian Railways Union sent £2OO to assist the Queensland railway strikers. The council carried a motion declaring that the threat of the Prime Minister of Queensland, Mr. W. McCormack “stamps him as a political thug,” and pledged itself to support the men, and, if the threat was carried out, to do all in its power to prevent the handling of Queensland traffic. At Brisbane, the Australian Workers’ Union decided that if the railway trouble was not settled by Saturday, the positions of the railwaymen who would be dismissed by the Prime Minister’s ultimatum, be declared black, and all railwaymen will refuse to fill them, or work in conjunction with those filling them. A meeting of the Rockhampton Chamber of Commerce endorsed the action of the Prime Minister, and promised practical support to prevent the dislocation of transport facilities. The Prime Minister attended a lengthy meeting of the Queensland Central Executive, and placed the issue clearly before the meeting. He emphasised that the railway commissioners, and not the union, should control the railways. When the meeting dispersed, one prominent union official said the prospects of a settlement were bright. It is considered likely that the Board of Trade will be asked to intervene and arrange a compromise. Between 140 and 150 men have now been dismissed for refusing duty. —A. and N.Z. BRISBANE, Wednesday.

The railway men employed in the southern sections of Queensland decided at a meeting to-day to support the men who are on strike in the northern section, and to carry on the strike until all the strikers are reinstated without loss of status. The men further intimated that they are not to be intimidated by the ultimatum issued by “the pseudoLabour Government.” A telegram from Melbourne says the executive of the Victorian branch of the Railway Union has resolved to support the Queensland members in upholding unionism. The outlook this evening m connection with the strike is ominous. The Australian Workers’ Union held a meeting and decided that the Government’s ultimatum meant that unionists would be forced to work for nonunionists. The meeting therefore decided to support the Railway Union in the fight. Apparently there is no hope of a settlement of the dispute.— A. and N.Z.