WATERFRONT CONTROL

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28001, 22 June 1956, Page 11

WATERFRONT CONTROL

Australian Bill Passed (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m. CANBERRA. June 21. The controversial Stevedoring Industry Bill, which set up anew body to administer the Australian waterfront, passed all stages tonight after a stormy passage through the Senate. The bill now needs only the Gov-ernor-General’s assent to become law as it has already passed the House of Representatives. The Government escaped defeat by one vote earlier today when the second reading of the bill was passed by 24 votes to 23. At the last minute, two Government back-benchers, who opposed the bill, agreed to requests from the Government to abstain from voting. The third reading was passed on the voices. One immediate reaction to the bill was a decision taken by the Australian Council of Trades Unions In Melbourne to authorise its inter-State executive to “take whatever action it deems necessary to resist objectionable features in the bill.” The council called on workers to refuse to help form a . supplementary labour force on the waterfront, as could be done under the bill's provisions, and to regard any person joining this work force as a “renegrade. Mr James Healy, general secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, told the council: “I assure you that the Watersiders Federation will resist this irrespective of penalties.” The new Stevedoring Industry Board, set up by the bill, will comprise three members —a chairman and two members, one representing management, the other associated with the trade union movement. The board’s main task will be to increase efficiency on the waterfront, investigate causes of delay, and encourage safe working conditions. The Opposition fought the bill at all stages on the grounds that. it favoured the shipowners and was an attack on the trade union movement.