ARBITRATION LAW

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 145, 16 December 1927, Page 9

ARBITRATION LAW

STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS

NEW AUSTRALIAN" BILL

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) CANBEEEA, 15th December. • in the House of Eepreaentatives the Attorney-General introduced tho Arbitration Amendment Bill. As far as pernutted by the Constitution, the Bill gives effect to the industrial policy announced in Mr.Bruce's policy speech at the last elections.

The Bill provides for .secret ballots where ten or more members demand one and for a system of inspection and investigation of tho affairs of unions, inspectors to be appointed, subject to the Public Service Act. The Bill also provides for the right of entry into premises where industries are carried on. . If a lock-out occurs, a strike in that industry will not be regarded as an offonce, and vice versa. The penalties for strikes and lock.outs are to be reduced whero a responsible organisation has endeavoured to preventthe offence. The full penalty of £1000 can be imposed only on employers and organisations, but the maximum penalty which £50 lmP°sed, on any individual is . The Bill also prohibits State industrial authorities handling matters dealt with under. Federal awards. It also embodies the principle of voluntary arbitration, judges, and conciliation commissioners being authorised to determine all voluntary arbitration, and thus enable tho Court to deal with industries where a dispute does not actually exist. - ' To declare goods or places "black" will be an offence, and no person may be prevented from offering or accepting employment by undue influence, and penalties ranging from £20 to £500 may be imposed for various offences