N.S.W. RE-GRADING BILL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 105, 30 October 1925, Page 5

N.S.W. RE-GRADING BILL

AN ANGRY DEBATE

"REWARDING D.ISLOYALT,: AND HONOUR." (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT,) SYDNEY, 29th October. In the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Lang sprang a surprise by moving for leave to introduce a Bill to validate certain actions of the Railway Commissioners in connection 'with the re-grading of the 1917 strike loyalists. He intimated that the Government intended to force the Bill through at one sitting, and moved the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable this to be done.

The motion was carried amid dis order, and the Bill was introduced.

Mr. Lang explained that the Bill was necessary to remove a technical difficulty which had arisen through tho decision of the Court rendering illegal certain acts of the Commissioners relating to tho reinstatement of railway employees. Mr. Lang added that unless the Bill was passed the railway service would be thrown into the utmost confusion.

Mr. Bavin opened an angry debate, in which he charged tlio Government with forcing the hands of the Railway Commissioners, unfairness to the people, and brow-beating the loyalist men of the service, who were unable to defend themselves. The Government had not yet won. The Bill had to go to, the Legislative Council, and if the Council accepted a Bill deliberately designed to reward disloyalty and dishonour, and punish loyalty and honour, then it would bo a good thing if tho Council were wiped out of existence.