VIRTUAL DICTATOR

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 123, 19 February 1944, Page 7

VIRTUAL DICTATOR

Wide Powers Proposed For Coal Commissioner

(Received February 18, 10.40 p.m.) CANBERRA, February IS. The extremely wide powers to be given to the Commonwealth Coal Commissioner will make him virtual dictator of the coal industry in Australia. It is expected that the present .commissioner, Mr. N. Mighell, will be appointed. Under the new Coal Bill which was introduced into the House of Representatives today by the Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, the commissioner will have power to make everyone in the industry his employee and will be given full control over production, treatment, handling, supply, distribution, storage, marketing and consumption. Any award or order made by a central industrial authority under his control cannot be challenged in any court. The object of the new Bill is to secure increased production of coal for the war effort and also to ensure that adequate supplies of coal are provided wherever required in Australia for the Allied forces. Owner and employee alike will be solely responsible to the Coal Commissioner. Any offence against the Act shall be punished by a fine not exceeding £lOO, or imprisonment up to six months.