Labor Legislation in New South Wales.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 244, 13 November 1903, Page 3

Labor Legislation in New South Wales.

SYDNEY, Nov 12. In the Council Mr Wise, explaining tho Conspiracy Amendment Bill, said that the judgment in the Tall Vale case seemed to him the embodiments of common sense. He would never be a party to do anything by means of legislation to affect the principle upon which that dedision stood. Unionists might dismiss from their minds once and for all any hope of ever persuading British voters into giving unlimited power without co-equal responsibility to any association of men, whether an association of masters or men. Tho I Bill thoroughly accepted the position | laid down by the House of Lords that Unionists if they had power must with that power have collective responsibility. Ha said clause 2 was the only one which in any way bore upon the Taff Vale case, and it reads as follows :—" No trade union or industrial union or association- of employers shall be liable for any suit or action, nor shall the funds of any such union or assocspoken or written during) or in conwith respect to any act or word spoken or writcen during or in connection with an industrial dispute by any agents. If it be proved that such agent acted contrary to instructions bona fide given by or without knowledge of the governing body of such union or association, and that the union or association has bona fide and by all reasonable means repudiated the acts or words complained of at the earliest opportunity and with reasonable publicity." Clause 3 was intended to make clear the point that under the Arbitration Act it was never intended that liability and common law should attach to industrial unions brought under the operations of the Act. Beyond doubt the object of the Arbitration Act was to impose upon industrial unions heavy intermediate liabilities.

Dr. Cullen was the only other speaker and he strongly opposed the Bill. If passed it would completely exempt unions from tho Taff decision. Clause 3 contained a principle which oiiglit not to he tolerated in any civilised community.