HEAVY PENALTIES PROVIDED IN NEW ACT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17757, 29 January 1926, Page 12

HEAVY PENALTIES PROVIDED IN NEW ACT.

AUSTRALIA TO TIGHTEN UP LAW ENFORCEMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn, —Copyright. Aus. and X.Z. Cable Association. MELBOURNE, January 28. In the House of Representatives Mr Latham introduced the Crimes Act Amendment Bill which, he said, was brought in to fulfill the clear and definite mandate of the people. lie added that as the Labour Party was a party of law and order he relied on the unanimous support of the House in the maintenance of law and order. The Bill provides for deportation and penalties in certain cases along lines similar to those provided in the Immigration Act. and declares that any body of persons advocating or encouraging the overthrow of the constitution by revolution or sabotage, or the overthrow by force of the established Government of the Commonwealth or State, or any organised Government, or the destruction or injury of any Commonwealth property or property useJ in commerce with other countries or States shall be deemed an unlawful as sociation, and the office bearers of such association shall be liable to twelve months' imprisonment. A similar penalty is provided for teaching in an institution or schoc» conducted under the authority of an unlawful association.

The Bill also provides a penalty of two vears’ imprisonment for any person who by speech or writing encour ages the perpetration of any of these offences, and if the offender is not born in Australia, deportation by order of the Attorney-General. Provision is also made for the Gov-ernor-General by proclamation to declare that a state of serious industrial disturbance exists and any person who, during the operation of such a proclamation, participates in or encourages the continuance of a lock-out or strike in relation to transport in trade oi commerce or to employment any public service is guilty of an offence, and if not born in Australia is liable to deportation by order of the Attor-ney-General, with whom lies the sole authority to deport.