AWARDS AFFECTED BY THE WAR.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15047, 15 August 1914, Page 13

AWARDS AFFECTED BY THE WAR.

Before leaving tho Bench in t&ie Sydney Industrial Court. after the announcement of war, Mr Justice Heydon made an important announcement concerning matters in the industrial world of the Skate. His Honour laid if down that the present state of affairs •was of such a na,tuTe as to warrant a departure from practices existing in ordinary times.

Tho cases before the court _were a number of summonses, in Tvhlieh employees of the East Greta and BollbirJ collieries were called upoo to show cause why penalties should not be imposed upon thorn in connexion with »i refusal to work the afternoon shift. Mr Chrabb, who appeared far tho Crown, announced that tho Minister desired to withdraw the summonses. They "were then struck out.

"As the fact that an exteneive European war has broken out, in which tho Empire is involved may bring about great changes in industrial conditions, even in a very short time, which may make awards in their present form no longer suitable," said his Honour, "I wish to point out to the industrial world tihat tho general rule that awards are to rnn their terms, and not lightly to be re-opened, applies of course, only when matters are pursuing thoir ordinary course, and not to times of violent and sudden change.

"If the Tvartios concerned in any award should find, therefore, that it ought to be altered, or that fresh provisions are required to meet a state *>\ things never contemplated, they have only to apnroach their boards or the Court. If" those who are interested consent to the changes, immediate action can be taken. If. on the other hand, conditions are asked for by one s3e which are disputed by the other, an enquiry can be made at the shortest notice and with the minimum of delay."