CLASH OVER WEEKLY HOURS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 107, 6 May 1926, Page 9

CLASH OVER WEEKLY HOURS

FEDERAL ARBITRATION JUDGE

HOLDS CASE OUTSIDE SCOP*} Off, COITBT.

(47nitod Press AsjocUtion.—Copyrifkt.f (Received 6th May, 10 m.w.) MELBOURNE, This Day. In. a statement made in the Arbitration Court, the Deputy-President, Sir John Quick, expressed grave doubt* whether the Arbitration. Court m »t present constituted and in view, of th«, existing legal and political circumstances had power to deal with the question of the forty-four hour week at all. He refused to refer a ease to the Full Court for consideration, holding it to be waste of time on his part to do so. He directed that the case be referred to the new Arbitration Court when it was established. The Judge said that in the industries generally which come within the scope of Commonwealth awards, the Court has power only to settle industrial disputes extending beyond the limits of one State. In specific cases which are brought before it, it can give a decision declaring what shall be the hours of any industry or branch of industry, but it cannot lay down a rnle of general application.