LAND OF STRIKES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 229, 16 December 1927, Page 1

LAND OF STRIKES

COMMONWEALTH TAKES ACTION OFFENCES AND PENALTIES pg Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright. CANBERRA, Friday. In the House of Representatives the Attorney-General, Mr. J. G. Latham, introduced the Arbitration Act Amendment Bill. As far as is permitted by the Constitution, the Bill gives effect to the industrial policy announced in the Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce’s, policy speech at the last elections. The Bill provides for secret ballots where 10 or more members of a union demand one, and for a system of inspection and investigation of the affairs of the unions. The inspectors sre to be appointed subject to the Public Service Act. The Bill also provides for the right of entry into premises where industries are carried on. If a lock-out occurs a strike in that industry will not be regarded as an offence, and vice versa. The penalties for strikes and lock-outs are to be reduced where the responsible organisation has endeavoured to prevent the offence. The full penalty of £I,OOO can be imposed only on the employers and organisations, and the maximum penalty which can be imposed on any individual Is £SO. DECLARING "BLACK” The Bill also prohibits the State industrial authorities from handling matters dealt with under the Federal awards. It also embodies the principle of voluntary arbitration. The Judges and the Conciliation Commisaloners are authorised to determine all voluntary arbitration, and this will enable the court to deal with industries where a dispute does not actually exist. To declare goods or places "black” will be an offence, and no person may be prevented from offering or accepting employment by undue influence. Penalties ranging from £2O to £SOO may be imposed for various offences. —A and N.Z.