DRASTIC BILL.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20550, 19 May 1932, Page 9

DRASTIC BILL.

SUPPRESSING UNLAWFUL BODIES. POWERS FOR COMMONWEALTH. CANBERRA, May 18. The Bill amending the Commonwealth Crimes Act, to give the Commonwealth v.-ider powers to deal with unlawful associations, has been passed by the Senate. It is provided in the Bill that auy body of persons may be called upon to show cause why it should not be declared an unlawful association, and any member of an unlawful association may be deported from the Commonwealth. Additional powers to control broadcasting stations, halls, and publications are contained in tho Bill. The Bill provides that "the AttorneyGeneral may apply to the High Court or to tho Supreme Court of a State for an order calling upon any body of persons incorporated or unincorporated to show cause why it should not be declared an unlawful association." Such applications, it is provided, shall bo by summons which may contain averments setting out the facts relied upon in support of the application. Service of a summons may bo effected by publication of the summons, in tho Commonwealth Gazettq and in a daily newspaper circulating in the city or town in which tho head offieo in Australia of the body of persons being summoned is stated in tho summons to be situatod, but the Bill provides also that the Court may ordor such further or other service as it thinks fit. It is provided that the summons shall be heard by a single Justice of the Court or of the Supreme Court of a i:-tate, and if cause to the contrary is not shown to the satisfaction of the Court, it may make an order declaring the respondent body of persons to bo an unlawful association. An application to the High Court for the setting aside of any declaration may be made within .14 days, and shall be heard by tho Full Court of the High Court. If the Attorney-General believes that any person has iii' his possession any information or documents relating to an unlawful association he may require him to answer questions, furnish information, and allow the inspection of documents relating to the property, funds, or transactions to which an unlawful association is or is believed to be a party. Failure to comply will render a person liable to a penalty of £IOO, or imprisonment for six months. Power is given to tho PostmasterGeneral to cancel the license issued to any broadcasting station which is used in the interests of any unlawful association. The owner, lessee, agent, or superintendent of any building who knowingly permits any meeting therein of an unlawful association or of any branch or committee of such an association will be liable to a penalty of £IOO or six months' imprisonment. Where any body of persons is declared by the Court to be an unlawful association the Attorney-General "may by order under his hand direct that any person who, at the date of tho application, was # a member of that body of 2>ersons shall be deported from the Commonwealth." Power is also given to the Attorney-General to order the deportation of any person not born in Australia who is convicted of advocating revolution or sabotage, the overthrow of the established Government, or the destruction or injury of property, or who takes part in or encourages a lockout or strike. One provision in the Bill empowers any officer authorised by the Minister, or any constable or officer of police to search buildings or vessels and arrest any person reasonably supposed to bo a person whose deportation has been ordered. ENFORCEMENT ACT. FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS SUSPENDED. SYDNEY, May 17. A Bill providing for the suspension of the Financial Argeement Enforcement Act and the Financial Emergency Act has been passed by the Fedet-al Parliament All proclamations, regulations, notices, and directions issued by the Commonwealth for tho attachment of State revenue and the Federal Bill nullifying the Mortgages Taxation Bill passed by the State Parliament. are suspended under the Bill. The State Ministry will investigate without delay the Lan<* Ministry's appointments to the transport cervices, particularly the appointment of Mr CJ. Goode, as chairman of the Transport Commission. Sixty thousand family endowment cheques, representing a sum of £70.000, have been sent out by the new Government. These represent the payment which fell due on April 26th. Payments which were due ori May 10th, and those which fell due on May 14th, will bo posted bv Friday, representing a total of £140,000. The cheques which were sent out on April 12th, and whiA were not met by the ba.iks, are now heme cashed. The Minister of Education, Mr D. H. Drummond, has announced that the deferred payments for widows' pennons and child welfare allowances, totfilline £IOO,OOO, will be available immediately. MR LANG'S RECORD. COMMENT IN IRELAND. LONDON, May 17. The "Irish Times," in a leader, states that Mr J. T. Lang's default was a blot, not only on the reputation of New South Wales, but also the Commonwealth. Decent opinion in Australia had decided that it could not be suffered to pass unnoticed. DOWNFALL OF LABOUR MINISTRIES. EFFECT ON SECURITIES. (Received May 18th, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 18. Financial newspapers stress the bouyancy of Australian stocks. This condition is attributed to Mr J. T. Lang's downfall, and the result of the Victorian elections. "The Times" says it is expected that the Premier, tho Hon. A. E. Moore, will now retain control in Queensland, in which event all the Governments of Australia will be united in support ot ,he policy embodied in the Premiers' Plan, which is pursued vigorously by the Commonwealth Government.