Prom Our Austrian Correspondent
Much interest has been aroused in Austria by a memorandum recently submitted to the Chancellor by the representatives of 70.000 metal, cotton and paper workers from various parts of Austria. This document boldly, but respectfully, declares that the restoration of free Trade Unions and liberty to elect their own officials is indis pensable. And it emphasises that this step alone can earn that whole-hearted cooperation of the working-classes which will be necessary to defend the new Austria efficiently.
The fact that such a memorandum can be permitted at all is an interesting sign of the times. It is no secret that the workers in the Trades Unions objected to the nomination of their leaders by the Government, and the more so as certain of such leaders were known to be strong proNazis,
Ground For Hope
But here again there is ground for hope. One of these, a certain ex-Minister by the name of Znidaric, well-known for his PanGerman views, has been granted leave of absence and will not continue as President of the Metal Workers' Union. Moreover, Dr. Ender, the ex-Premier who is working out a new constitution for the Trades Unions, has declared that the present state of affairs is temporary and that elections will be held. A similar declaration has been made by Dr. Rehrl, Governor of the province of Salzburg.