AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1189, 26 July 1911, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

WAGES BOARDS EULOGISED. A CHEAT SUCCESS. The Industrial Difpules Acts of t'fio Liberal Government have proved a great success, in Uio opinion of Iho Matter Builders' Association of Xcw South Wales. In particular, the efficacy of Wages Hoards as ;i means of- promoting Rood fooling , and understanding, as well as doing justice by their industrial awards, was eulogised. The association had appointed a sub-corn-mitlco to consider Mr. Beeby's new Bill in detail. Jt submitted its' report nt the half-yearly mooting of the association. "From ti closo observation of the touo and temper pervading these Wages Boards (the report declared) we havo como to the conclusion that their most valuable result, and one, we think, not anticipated, has been the growth'of u mutual toleration and friendliness between the disputants." The atmosphere was free and easy, and the scopo allowed to tho parties ami witnesses had proved valuable elements which Die proposed change of per. inancnt members might destroy. ' What, the report termed the "exaltation of the third party" was deplored by the sub-committee. "To those of us," they, said, "who had closely watched tho working of the wages boards, hopeful signs were not wanting that common tense was making headway, and that if the weightier matters in dispute, viz., hours and wages, could be adjusted by mutual agreement, industrial regulations could be simplified and mado less irritating. However, Mr. Beeby's Bill provides for the exaltation, of the third party at the expense of tho other two parties Under tho newBill tho chairman and members are chosen by the Minister. .... The limitation of the power of the wages boards and the widening of tho doors of tho Appeal Court are, in our opinion, retrograde steps." After entering n. strong protest against the principle of "absolute preUrenco to unionists" embodied in tho Bill, tho report concluded:— "Generally speaking, the existing Act has worked about as satisfactorily as any of this experimental legislation could be expected to do. It has satisfied large numbers of employees, who at first objected to tho Act before they understood it. thoroughly. Tho jmiona have since rushed in and got registered and applied for boards; and these boards have given awards which have in a largo majority of instances been accepted as a. satisfactory compromise by both parties. The proposed repeal came when the great majority of those interested had become accustomed to the wages board system, and contented to work under it. llie change was bound to cause dissatisfaction on ono side, perhaps on both. Other objections were urged against the new Bill, notably the power of Ministerial interference. On the other hand, the idea of a secret ballot upon strikes, or suggested, was approved subject to t safeguards, and the proposal to enforce pe«a - tics against employees by way of gamshee orders" was, in view of the failuio rtr^or r tf^^ idonted it was decided to forward copies of it to Ministers and the Opposition leaders in both Houses.

A BOY WHO LEFT HOME. "I'LL NEVER COME BACK." In tUe Practice Court, Melbourne, Mr. Justice aMJeokett was asked, on aa originating summons, to declare that a son who Had'disappeared 40 years ago had predeceased his mother, and «<d without issue. The parties to the su - mons were Sarah Kay and 1 nomas lid. ward Campbell Henry, the executrix and executor of the will nnd codicil of blleu O'Keilly, late of Portland, widow, plainHffs, and the defendant, Mary Ann Dougla"s who-..was.-joined as representm? herself and'other residuary legatees under the will of the testatrix. Under the codicil to the will John O'Gorraau, son of Mrs. O'Keilly.% a former mamage.Myaa bequeathed .£IOOO. -.- . From the affidavits of the executrix and Mrs. Douglass it appeared that John, O'Gormau, who was born on Juno 24, 1852, left.Wando Station, near Casterton,. the residence of his mother, in 1871, after a quarrel. His mother, with whom ha had had the quarrel, did not ask him to stay, and in leaving ho told his sisters, after kissing them, that he would never como back. To one of his sisters, who was erring, he gave a sovereign. Phea with his srag on his shoulder, a. concertina in his hand, and his favourite dog trotting at liis side, ho left the station —for ever. Advertisements in the Victorian, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australian newspapers wero answered by several John O'Gormims. After investigation, none proved to bo the one wanted. On one occasion, shortly before her death, testatrix remarked to one of her daughters, "John must bo dead. I'll leave something for him. If lie does not turn up, it will como back to you all again." His Honour said ho thought ho had sufficient material beforo him, and though ho would not make the declaration aa asked, he would make an order that the executrix and executor be at liberty to administer the estate as though John. O'Gorman predeceased his mother and. was unmarried. The effect of this was Hint the legacy, to him lapsed, and iyent into the residunry estate, to bo divided among the residuary legatees.

TRAINING OF CADETS. "It is my ojiiuion, and the opinion of most officers I have had any consultation, with, that reports in tho papers concerning rowdiucss among cadets have been, greatly exaggerated, said the AcliugJlinistcr for Defence (Senator M'Grejor) on July 15. "That some little disturbance has taken place is evident, but I think it has arisen by tho presence, not of tho boys being instructed, but of boys over the age of seventeen who have not tho privilege of getting any of the necessary instruction themselves, and who are probably envious of their more fortunate younger comrades. The general opinioa is that in a. few months, when the novelty wears off, and the boys find it is a good thing for themselves, and that business is meant, everything will assume an orderlycondition. If this sort of thing continues there is no question but that drastic steps will have to be taken to deal with larriluu law-breakers, whether outside tiie force or in." ROWDYISM IN TRAINS, Tho accounts of larrikin fights on Sathr* day night trains suggest a revival of the peculiarly objectionable kind of disorderly ■ ness which infested Sydney long ago and was quelled by vigorous methods which themselves may need to In> revived (says tho Sydney "Daily Telegraph"). Obviously tho railway stall' is incapable of coping with it; for tho only effective repression we must rely on the police, and it is satisfactory to learn that iu that quarter active measures are being adopted. This "toughism" seems to have developed under (he immunity which natnrnllj- followed on absence of complaint until it has reached a stage at which a number of young rowdies actually tako possession of a train and make travel a danger as well as a displeasure to peaceful people. 1 Hat can no more be tolerated than could tho invasion of a private house by larrikins. Tho train is, indeed, in a. senso a private possession of thoso who are (ravelling by it, but with tho important diflcrenco that a number of owners are expected to show deference to each other's comfort. Aside from its effect in that way, this larrilunism is a social sign that should be heeded, an indication of a too robust recklessness that needs atlumug down.