TRADES AND LABOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12602, 4 March 1903, Page 5

TRADES AND LABOUR

THE TAFF VALE DECISION. THE EFFECT IN AUSTRALIA. 1 Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, March 3. (Received March 3, at 10.30 p.m.) A deputation from the Amalgamated Miners' Association, including Tasmanian representatives, interviewed the Federal Attorney-general to ascertain the position of trades unions in view of the Taff Vale decision. The deputation explained that the association wanted the right to use every peaceable means to induce men to become members. They read the Taff Vale decision to mean that if there was a dispute on tlicy could not attempt to induce men to join the union, otherwise they would fall under the ban of the law. Tho association was formed for a noble purpose—to hand men together,—but evidently that purpose was nullified by the judgment of the English courts. The deputation asked that an inquiry be instituted to ascertain ivhat are the legal rights of the unions, and urged that the law should bo made to apply equally to employer and employee. The unions only wanted the right to use moral suasion. Mr Deakin endorsed the argument. The Taff Vale decision applied, not only to the officers, but to every single member of the unions. He pointed out that the Federal power at present was limited to those disputes which overflowed from one State to another. A bill was being drafted which would allow the Arbitration and Conciliation Court to exercise the full powers conferred by the consututiun thereof. If passed by Parliament, it would render impossible such a result, in cases within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, as that of the Taff Vale case. The powers of the Federal Government would be, as far as possible, directed to make picketing a matter of no interest in disputes.