AUSTRALIAN CABLES

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 8491, 26 May 1904, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN CABLES

[By Electric Telegbaph.—Copybight.]

(Per Press Association.) Received May 25, at 11.56 p.m. ' Sydney, May 25. The Chief Justice, in delivering the full Court's decision in connection with the application for a prohibition restraining the Workmen's Union proceeding further under the decision- of the Arbitration Court, fixing the number of hands employed and the hours worked, said ..beyond all question the Arbitration Act as a force in this State in derogation of common law, encroaches on the liberty of the subject, and as regards the person and -personal property it interfered with liberty of action of both employer and employee. It prevents one giving and the other obtaining employment except on the terms settled by the Court. It deprives the employer of the conduct of his own business. The Act is productive of a most alarming and deplorable amount of litigation and its concomitant ill-feeling bet-ween employers and employees, who are forced into hostile camps. We believe the object of passing the Act was to promote peace and goodwill between employer and employee, but fear it has not had. that effect. At the same time they held that the matter came within the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court. Justices Owen and Pring concurred. The prohibition was dismissed. Pearce, the mine manager, committed suicide, fearing a recurrence of illness. Sailed (2 p.m.)—Mararoa. Newcastle, iMay 25. Sailed —Whangape, for Picton. Melbourne, May 25 Sailed—-Moana. Mr Bellerby has been found in a demented condition. Brisbane, May 25. There is another case of plague. Received May 26, at 0.8 a.m. Melbourne, May 25. The coalitioni continues to hang fire. Mr Deakin, after the caucus of his party, stated that they had -discussed a variety of subjects. A motion proposing to declare coalition off was not put-, but another was carthe purport of which is withheld. Meanwhile it was decided to obtain further information. The debate on the Government policy is proceeding in the House.