NEW LABOUR LAWS FOR NEW SOUTH WALES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 18, 16 October 1917, Page 5

NEW LABOUR LAWS FOR NEW SOUTH WALES

SOME DRASTIC MEASURES. Sydney, October 15. Mr. (J. S. Beeby, State Minister of Labour, in a speech, outlined pending industrial legislation. It was pioposed to adopt drastic measures ' in regard to unions which possessed awards and went on strike. Unions may either register under the Act, he states, or keep outBide. In tho latter case they 11 ust give reasonable notices to the Industrial Department before striking. Arbitration lawß must be made enforceable. Eegulatlons will bo made for secret ballots of the unions on grave issues, and for the control of union entrance fees—Press Assn. [Ouc of the strike which has dislocated industry in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland during the last few weeks has come the recognition that the Commonwealth Arbitration Act must be vitally amended as an instrument of industrial peace (said the Melbourne "Argus" of September 29). Employers have been giving the subject earnest consideration latelv, and it is likely that their views will be placed before the Prime Minister (Mr. Hughes) shortly. The question has been receiving the attention of the Prime Minister, if not of tho Cabinet. When asked whether the Ministry intended to introduce new industrial legislation, Mr. Hughes replied, "Probably, yes." He declined to indicate in any way the jaature of the amendments which are likely to be proposed to the Commonwealth Act. Proposals for radical changes in the State labour laws are now the subject of communication between Ministries of different States. The idea is to provide for a common course of action by the States, or at least most of them. The Victorian authorities liavß drafted ft fichem© Tnueh. they consider may re.asona.bly be expected to deal with most of the serious evils uDder whicli peopls or© now {jufforinPt and by direction of the Ministry tie Secretary for Labour (Mr. H. M. Murphy) conferred with the Minister for In-, dustry of Kew South Wales (Mr. Beeby). State Ministers have explained that whatever measures are taken they must go right down to the root of recent troubles, and the alterations in the laws, to be successful, must have a much wider application than the amendment of the Factories and Shops Act or the introduction of strike or lock-out penalties, which was under consideration last year. Awnference of State Premiers and Commonwealth Ministers will be convened later.] ■