The Port Kembla Pig Iron Strike of 1938

Abstract

of Trade Unions (A.C.T.U.), in a protest against Japan's invasion of China, called for a boycott of Japanese goods and an embargo on the export of iron to Japan. Sections of the Australian trade union movement viewed with concern the brutal excesses of the Japanese armies in China, and the possible consequences of further Japanese expansion. The Water side Workers' Federation (W.W.F.), whose co-operation was essential if an embargo were to succeed, agreed to work with the A.C.T.U. in im plementing the new policy.2 Others beside the trade union movement were apprehensive about Japan. The Government, too, regarded the Japanese threat seriously, as was shown by their reaction to Japanese plans to import iron ore from Yampi Sound in Western Australia. During 1937 the Government had