ARBITRATION.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19719, 9 September 1929, Page 9

ARBITRATION.

FEDERAL ABOLITION BILL. GOVERNMENT'S NARROW MAJORITY. (VXITED PKESS ASSOCIATION —Bi* E&ECT&IC TELEGRAPH —COPT&IGHT.) (Received September Bth, 5.5 p.m.) CANBERRA, September 7. When the division on the second reading of the Maritime Industries Bill, which provides for the Federal Government's abandonment of the Arbitration Act so far as it relates to industries other than seafarers and watersidors, was taken at 12.20 to-day, the House had been sitting continuously for 46 hours. The Bill P its second reading by 34 votes to 30. Messrs W. M. Hughes, G. A. Maxwell, and P. G Stewart voted with the Opposition, while Mr E. A. Mann paired p.gainst the Government. The Bill was committed formally and the House adjourned until Tuesday, when a further critical test will come, Mr Hughes will then move in committee that the operation of the measure be deferred until it has been submitted to the people by referendum or a General Election. It is believed that some members who are willing to support the Government on general principles, will be inclined to favour letting the people determine its actual operation, and so will support Mr Hughes's amendment. In that event, on the present count of heads, an equal vote is anti-ipsted. The Prime Minister, Mr Bruce, in the course of his reply to the debate, said that iie trusted the disappearance of the Federal Arbitration Court would bring about a great number of voluntary agreements in Federal industries, the agreements being registered in each State so there would be common rule. The Prime Minister added that there had grown up a defiance and repudiation of the arbitration system by responsible Labour leaders. Violence and intimidation had been practised, and a ludge of the Court burnt in effigy. He felt the Bill would pave the way for niacins industries on a basis never before seen in Australia, and for reducing production r- its without affecting living standards.—Australian Press Association.