COMMISSION RULE

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1947, Page 5

COMMISSION RULE

FOR AUSTRALIAN WATERFRONT STILL. (Rec. 11.50.) CANBERRA, Feb. 21. The control of the Australian waterfront, except in hours and wages, will be vested in the Stevedoring Industry Commission to be established by the Federal Government. The Attorney-General. Dr. Evatt, introduced a Bill in the House of Representatives for the appointment of the Commission, the chairman of which will be an Arbitration Court judge or a Federal Conciliation Commissioner. Five other' members of the Commission will be appointed, representing overseas shipowners, the Waterside Workers’ Federation, and a non-voting representative of the Commonwealth. Dr. Evatt said the aim of the Bill was to achieve industrial peace and efficiency if the Bill continued in existence as the Wartime Stevedoring Industry Commission. The Government was seized with the necessity for providing the machinery to ensure a rapid .settlement of disputes, since tho proeongation of troubles had a serious effect on trade commerce. Where employers’ and employees’ representatives differed, a decision must be taken on the chairman's vote. The Commission would not have the power to alter the standard hours or basic wage for waterside workers, or the principles upon which this wage was computed, except in conformity with awards of the Arbitration Court, acting as a Full Court. The Commission could cancel or suspend the registration of either employers or employees.