INDUSTRIAL PEACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19412, 21 August 1926, Page 11

INDUSTRIAL PEACE.

THE LAWS OF AUSTRALIA. EXTENDING POWER OF STATE •S——' ' " ' •' THE REFERENDA PROPOSALS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. * (Received 10.25 p.m.) A. and N.Z. ' . SYDNEY. Aug. 20. The ; campaign in connection, with -.the referenda proposals of the Federal Prime Ministej, > Mr. S. > M. Bruce, ■ art" proceeding with considerable warmth. ■*' Mr. Bruce to-day addressed the Chamber of Commerce and subsequently, a'big meeting in the Town . Hall ■in - support of- the proposals: He claimed' that the last Federal elections gave the Government an overwhelming edict to carry them into; operation.

: Replying . to. criticisms, he denied that the aim t was:to smash trade unionism and shackle the Labour movement, or, on the other hand, was he opening the door to: socialism. He declared that under the restricted 'conditions of to-day the. Commonwealth could make' no' use of 1 wages boards, round-table conferences or industrial commissions to ensure the peaceful progress of : industry or to eliminate the causes, of disputes. Under the new powers the position would be entirely changed.

The.bill introduced by Mr. Bruce and passed by the Federal Parliament provided for referenda to be taken in August: on the question of giving the Government extended powers to deal with industrial matters and control over trade unions, and also power to deal with . essential services in cases of national emergency, such as a general strike. Provision is also included for additional powers to deal with trusts and combines in restraint Of trade.. Some of , these , proposed alterations in the constitution, which the electorate will be-asked to endorse, are the outcome of events arising out of the late shipping strike. They involve, among other questions, the matter of the deportation of undesirable persons and uniform working hours. In introducing the .bill Mr. Bruce said that on it. depended the future- prosperity of the people of Australia. Hopes based, on the existing industrial legislation had not been realised. Many things had happened, to undermine the principle of arbitration and a position had been reached where every thinking man must realise "that: something .■ was wrong with the system of trying- to. settle industrial disputes and to regulate wages arid conditions of work?