INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 317, 2 June 1911, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION.

NEW SOUTH WALES INTENTIONS. COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSALS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, June 1. Mr. Beeby, explaining his proposed new industrial legislation, said it would provide for conciliation committee independent of wages boards and arbitration courts. He believed that they would have the effect of maintaining the continuity of industrial operations. If men struck without giving the department notice, unless that was likely to lead to a strike, they were liable to a heavy penalty. Local permanent conciliation committees would be established in all large mining centres. He proposed to simplify tie procedure, particularly that under which the boards were created, and to place the appointment of the boards in the hands of the Governor with the advice of the executive. Arbitration courts would be maintained, and additional judges appointed if necessary. Litigation arising under the Employers' Liability and Workmen's Compensation Acts would be investigated in the Arbitration Court. Industries would be grouped, instead of having boards for different sections, in order to prevent overlapping. The last Government's Industrial Disputes Act, known as the Coercion Act, would be repealed. Awards would operate automatically in the Government service. Preference to unionists would remain at the option of the court. Boards would be unable to make awards, but would make recommendations to the court. Participants in an unlawful strike would be subject to fines, with no alternative of imprisonment. Fines would be enforceable by a garnishee-on wages. Unions aiding and abetting an unlawful strike would be liable to a fine of £IOOO and the registration of the union would be cancelled, as also the award under which members were reaping benefits. The Act would not cover any organisation not registered. The Government had power in any strike to take a secret ballot whetheT it should continue. Mr. Wade, criticising, said he considefede the Bill fully justified thelegislation of his Government.