GAUNTLET DOWN

Auckland Star, Issue 17, 21 January 1932, Page 7

GAUNTLET DOWN

WATERFRONT LAWS. STATE'S CHALLENGE. South Australia Declares State Of Emergency. VOLUNTEERS BARRED. a - nite d P.A.—EWstric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 11.30 a.m.) ADELAIDE, this clay. i proclamation has been issued by fhe Governor, Sir A. Horc-Ruthvcn, that a state of emergency exists. "This is for the Port Adelaide The Premier, Mr- L. * J ■ Hill, stated: ~f fe arc „ot defying the Commonwealth Wc arc merely warning it. The Act gives the State Government ndwer to proclaim that a state of emergency exists in any area, and to make regulation for that aiea. The regulations ,are issued under the Public Safctv Preservation Act, having hp effect of barring the employment ot volunteer labour on the waterfront at Port Adelaide. Tiiev restore preference •o unionists and all the other privileges 'ioved'under the Scullin •Government, which arc directly in conflict with the recent action of the Lyons Government. Other regulations approved give wide powers to the police with regard to seditious' publications, picketing and the possession of unlawful weapons. Fexjral Cnailenge. The regulations are expected to be i.hallen<*ed bv the Federal Government. \ meetin" of Cabinet was held at Melbourne, but it was decided to await further, information before taking action.In an interview the Federal AttorneyGeneral, Mr. J. G. Latham, said that while •no decision was reached by Cabinet the South Australian Government's.action is regarded as tional.Commeilting on the South Australian Government's action the '"'Sydney Sun" editorially describes it as of the gravest constitutional importance, in so far as it transcends any action by a State Government in contravention of the Federal authority since the formation of the Commonwealth. While the South Australian coup can be challenged constitutionally, the writer states, it is fraught with.much "raver potentialities, because it involves the livelihood and live 3 of large numbers of people. Direct and serious defiance of Commonwealth sovereignty has been attempted, and it remains to be seen whether the Federal Government will take up the challenge. In spite of the action of the Adelaide branch of the Seamen's Union, in calling out the crews of vessels owned by the Adelaide Steamship Company, three •hips left. Port..Adelaide with volunteer crews. .