FORTY-FOUR HOUR WEEK

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVIII, Issue 68, 20 April 1926, Page 5

FORTY-FOUR HOUR WEEK

APPLICATION LIMITED N.S.W. ACT OVERRIDDEN. FEDERAL- LAW STEPS IN. Press Assoctavon— Copy rigid. SYDNEY, April 19. The High Court of Australia, has delivered its reserved judgment on the three appeals challenging,' the validity of the New South Wales Forty-four Hours Week Act. The court has upheld all the appeals and has discharged the order of Magistrates and dismissed the summonses. The Chief Justice (Sir Adrian Knox), in delivering judgment, said that the question which, arose for the determination of the court was whether, when a Federal award was duly made, a Parliament of a State could alter its terms or impose on the parties to the award, rights or obligations inconsistent with such terms. The court ruled that the Forty-Four Hours Week Act was inconsistent with the law of the Commonwealth within the meaning of the constitution. and to the extent of that inconsistency the State Act was invalid. ' 1 i.ri;

The decision is a; great disappomtment to union officials, but at present it is not anticipated that it will, lead to industrial r.rounle, as men working under Federal awards will continue to work. , The president of th© Employers 'Federation said that the judgment was a.'* matter of very grave concern, and may cause, friction. The Employers Federation was meeting at an early date to consider the new situation which ha.d been created and to decide upon a course of action,-if such was necesary. Ho declined to state whether the' employers, generally would now deduct four hours pay front all employees who continued f° work forty-four hours per week when, Torty.-eigh't hours were specified by a Federal award. LANG REFUSES TO COMMENT. (Received 9.55 a.tn.v SYDNEY. April 20. Mr. Lang refused to comment on ■the High Court’s decision regarding the forty-four hours a week.