THE CRIMES ACT.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1926, Page 3

THE CRIMES ACT.

ONLY FOR. TRANSPORT STRIKES

11V TELEGRAPH —I l EH PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

MERBOURN E. March 24

In the Federal House of Representatives, Mr Charlton (Labour Leader) moved the adjournment of the House to draw attention to tho necessity for the appointment of local boards to expedite the settlement of industrial disputes in the coal-mining districts. He said that, according to reports, the lie was a likelihood of a hold-up in the coal-mining industry in Now South Wales, as the result of the delay in hearing the men’s grievances. He added that he did not want this to happen, hut' there was a. limit to the patience of the men, and if a strike occurred the. industrial provisions of the Crimes Act would lie brought into effect.

He advised the Government to get in touch with the men’s representntives and enedavour to avert a crisis.

Mr Bruce, tlic Premier, in reply, said that alter the Faster adjournment of the House, he would have an opportunity of considering tho whole industrial question, and ns regarded the present trouble, he would endeavour to have a C'oal Tribunal deal immediately with the particular disputes which might lead to trouble. In the House of "Representatives, in reply to Air Charlton, the AttorneyGeneral stated the Crimes Ac t applied only to those employees engaged in transport and would not apply to the miners. COASTAL SHIPPING DISPUTE. SYDNEY, March 24. It is anticipated that when negotiations are resumed to-morrow with tho coastal shipowners and the Disputes Committee the coastal strike will he settled, the Union having agreed to sign an agreement providing against any future job control. ADELAIDE, March 24. Tho waterside workers throughout tho State have derided individually to refuse to work overtime from tonight on all vessels, both inter-State and overseas. 'Hie aim of the men is reported to he to force the owners to a conference regarding higher pay for the handling of certain cargoes.