WAR REGULATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26117, 2 April 1946, Page 5

WAR REGULATIONS

STILL REGARDED AS VALID POSITION IN AUSTRALIA (Rec. 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, Apl. 1. The war has not ended officially, and the War Regulations are thus still valid according to a decision of the Coal Reference Board announced by the chairman Mr Justice DrakeBrockman to-day. The decision was announced before the Arbitration Court proceeded with an application by the Colliery Staffs’ Association for a new award. On March 5 Mr Justice Kelly took the view that he was not bound by the National Security Regulations. Later Mr Justice O’Mara took the contrary view. Counsel for the Colliery Staffs’ Association said the association would not proceed with the strike ballot. Continuance of peace in the coal industry and avoidance of another major dispute at Sydney County Council power station at Bunnerong will depend on two conferences. In Canberra the Miners’ Union leaders accompanied by the State Minister of Mines Mr J. M. Baddeley, will discuss with Mr Chifley the refusal of the Coal Commissioner, Mr Harold Williams, to allow certain wage increases granted by the Central Coal Authority on the ground that they contravene the Security Regulations. Mr Justice Davidson’s report on mining condemned the conditions in some Queensland mines, and as a result five mines have ceased operations until an improvement in ventilation is made.

In Sydney, representatives of the Trades and Labour Council Disputes Committee will , confer with the general manager, of the County Council in an effort to prevent a stoppage arising over the refusal of the men to do shift work at award rates. The Arbitration Court will not hear the case while the men refuse to abide by the roster.