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WONTHAGGI VOTES
FOR CONTINUANCE
Almost Unanimous on
Show of Hands
, By Our Special Representative
By a majority so overwhelming as to be prac
tically unanimous, Wonthaggi miners and members
of associated craft unions, at their aggregate
meeting yesterday, adopted the recommendation
of the combined mining unions' executive and
declared for a continuation of the strike. The
vote was taken on ashow of hands after reports
of settlement moves had been heard from union
leaders.
Union leaders and members of the
rank ahd file were In a militant mood,
and from the outset it was apparent
that the men were resolved to con
tinue the strike. Those closely In touch
with the feeling of the men anticipated
a big majority for a continuance of the
strike, but the vote of 710 to 4 was
far more decisive than had been even
remotely expected.
The temper of the meeting was
emphasised by the interrupted hear
ing accorded three representatives of
the minority who spoke against the
adoption. of the recommendation, and,
after criticism of the union leaders,
they were howled down. When the
vote was' taken the raising of four
hands in opposition was greeted with
sustained boos and derisive cheer
ing.
The president of the Victorian Min
ers' Federation (Mr. I. Williams)
stated that the voting of aggregate
meetings in New South Wales had
been incorrectly reported, and that
the actual figures were: — Northern: For
a continuation of the strike, 3427;
against, 3569. Southern: 1657 and 520.
Western: 855 and 211, giving a majority
in favor of the strike of 1739. As there
wore only about 700 of the Victorian
members at yesterday's meeting the
aggregate vote could therefore not
have been converted Into one against
a strike.
Financial Aspect
Revelations concerning the financial
position of the union came as a shock
to a majority of the rank and file, and
some dissatisfaction was expressed that
some members of the craft unions were
receiving strike pay against the cou
pons issued to the miners. It was ex
plained that the constitution of the
craft unions prevented them pooling
financial resources with those with
whom they had made the strike a
common cause.
It was stated that the miners be
gan the strike with £59,000 in cash,
and that it was costing £42,000 fort-
nighty in strike sustenance. The union
was now "up" for about £100,000.
About £8000 had been received in con
tributions from other unions, but the
support was growing each week. Speak
ers admitted that the miners were in
a serious position with regard to
finance, but said that this had been
known to New South Wales members
when they voted so overwhelmingly
for a continuance of the strike. The
fact showed a strengthening of the
miners' determination.
Statements that the strike had
almost achieved its purpose were rap
turously applauded, and the men
cheered all references . to the deter
mination of the leaders not to give
up the fight, until injustices had been
corrected.
Mr. G. Deverall (A.E.U. council)
declared the miners were as anxious
for a settlement of the dispute as any
one else, but were resolved to continue
it until it was settled on an equitable
basis. They would not return to work
and be prepared to take what was
offered. The owners had told the court
to "keep out" of the dispute, and now
they found they could not get what
they wanted they had called in the
Federal Government. The unions now
held all the "aces," but any false move
might bring defeat. Stocks of coal
could not last much longer, and in
New South Wales trains and trams
were expected to cease in a fort
night. >/ ' .'
Mr. Williams sid the/strike proved
the necessity of the., workers " down
ing" Mr. Menzies and his; Government.
Mr. Curtin need have rib fear of the
election position.
Queensland's Decision .
"Sabotage"
Sabotage of the. strike by Queensland
was asserted by Mr. Williams. Be
cause of that the Queensland com
mittee of management had .been over
thrown, he said, and the miners/were
looking to tlie combined unions' ex
ecutive for direction. The vote for a
return to work, in that .State could not
be accepted, because it had been taken
without the approval of the combined
cominittee. Instead of going to the
miners at Kurri, Mr. Menzies. should
have gone to the owners and forced a
settlement from them.
Other speakers asserted the justice
of the miners' claims, while Mr. -T.
Scott (assistant secretary F.E.D; and
F.A.) urged the miners to remember
they were right to carry the strike
to a successful close morally if not
legally. If the owners had a just case,
he added, there would not be the; pre
sent suppression of views.
After questions had been answered,
one eliciting the information that the
Wonthaggi meeting had been delayed
until last to enable a representative
of the combined executive to . attend,
the motion for the adoption of the
recommendation was submitted by Mr.
R. Russell, a former Victorian presi
dent.
The principal contention of the- three
opposing speakers was that the miners
had always found their way back to
conciliation, and should do so again
at once to avoid further sacrifices.
One who suggested directly that the
men should return to work and go' to
the Arbitration Court was vigorously
heckled down until the chairman ap
pealed for the maintenance of demo
cratic privilege.
The meeting rejected a proposal for
an adjournment until the afternoon,
and to' the accompaniment of strenu
ous objections to half a dozen men
who said they had questions to ask,
a motion that the proposal should be
put to the meeting was carried. The
vote was taken, and the meeting de
clared closed three hours and a half
after it had begun.
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