AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1926, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

HIGH COURT DECISION. SYDNEY, April 19. The High Court of Australia lias delivered its reserved judgment on three appeals challenging tho validity of tho New South Wales Forty-four Hours Week Act (cabled on IGtli March). The Court has upheld all the appeals, and ihas discharged the order of the Magistrates, and dismissed the summonses. The Chief Justice, in delivering judgment, said that the question which arose for the Court’s determination was whether, when a Federal award was duly made, Ihe Parliament of a State could alter its terms or impose on the parties to it rights or obligations that •wore not consistent with such terms. The Court ruled that the Forty-four Hours Act was inconsistent with the law of the Commonwealth within t tho meaning of the constitution, and to tho extent of that inconsistency was invalid. ' This decision is a great disappoint- w mont to the Union officials, but a.t present it is not anticipated thatb will lead to industrial trouble, as tho men working under the Federal awards will continue to work. ££ The President of the Employers Federation said that the judgment was a matter of very grave concern, and it may cause friction. "Tho Employers’ “ Federation was meeting at ail early “ date to consider tho new situation created. and to decide upon a course of action, if necessary. He. declined to say whether the employers generally would now deduct four hours’ pay from all the employees who continued to work forty-four hours when forty-eight was specified by the Federal award. THE 44-HOUR. WEEK. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.t SYDNEY, April 20. Afr Latig refused to comment on the High Court’s decision regarding the forty-four hours week. Employees of the Clyde Engineering Works held a stop-work meeting to consider the decision and authorised their executive to take whatever action they deemed necessary. Tli'ey then downed tools for the remainder of the day. The men also decided to place their grievance before the Premier. REPORT ON TASMANIA. i (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 20. The report of Sir Nicholas Lockyer who was commissioned by the Federal Government to undertake an investigation into the financial position of Tasmania as affected by the Federation, recommends that substantial assistance from the Commonwealth is necessary in order Unit Tasmania may obtain relief from its present financial difficulties, and in order that definite measures may be made possible for the development of its natural resources. To this end Lockyer proposes a loan free of interest he granted by the Commonwealth to Tasmania, of such an amount as may tie required from time to time, tor a period of ten years. In respect of each instalment ,tire loan not to exceed a million sterling and to be for tho development of agricultural and mineral resources by means of scientific research.

Ho also proposes a special grant of £300,000 per annum for ten years conditional on certain taxes being reduced and £50,090 provided for afforestation of Tasmania under Commonwealth control. I.ockyer recommends half a million he provided to relieve Tasmania of part of the capital cost of an hydroelectric scheme in consideration of assistance afforded by the State in the establishment of the zinc industry; also twenty thousand per annum for ten years for geological survey, fjockyer states he concludes that the future prosperity of Tasmania depends largely upon a thorough reform of the financial administration and in the absence of such reform, no assistance front the Government is likely to aid mnteiviallv in the progress of the State.

THE PREMIER’S VIEW. ' HOBART, April 20 Mr Lyons (Premier) commenting on Sir F. Lockver’s report said tlie acceptance of assistance on the proposed lines would reduce Tasmania to tiro / position of a State vassal to the Com- r moil wealth without giving adequate substantial relief to the treasurer and taxpayers.