AUSTRALIAN MOVE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1930, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN MOVE

TO ABOLISH ALL AWARDS

(Australian Press Association)

MELBOURNE, September 22

Application is being made before the Commonwealth Arbitration Court for the setting aside of all awards affecting the railway men in the Eastern States. This us in order to permit of economies and of retrenchment.

There was a dramatic development in the Court to-day, when Dr. Evatt, K.C., asked leave to intervene, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, to oppose the application for the Setting aside of the awards. Dr. Evatt argued that the whole system of arbitration was thereby imperilled. The Feredal Government was vitally .interested, seeing that full effect had been given to its industrial legislation, including that for the maintenance of awards. Me pointed out that it tills were not done, a position of national emergency worse than that now existing might be created. Dr Evatt alluded to the possibility of a severe industrial upheaval resulting, and lie- submitted that if the several State railway systems were to lie allowed to work without any awards, then similar applications were bound to arise .in regard to the private employers. Dr Evatt’s application to intervene on behalf of the Federal Government, was deferred until Monday next. The Chief Judge Dethridge, said that the Federal Arbitration Court was not concerned with the rights of the Commonwealth or of the States, and much less with the political aspects of the case. The Court was concerned only with the rights of the Railway Commissioners as employers, and of their employees arising under their awards. ! The court was equally conscious, of .• the fact that the setting aside of the men’s awards might cause discontent, and might possibly lead to a stoppage of operations. i