Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-11
Topic Discussed in Department of
Labor Bulletin.
STATUTES NAUSfRALASIAN COLONIES
Governmental Intervention in Set
ting Labor Controversies.
M A STEERS AND SERV NTS

In the latest bulletin of the depart ment
| of labor the subject of Foreign Labor
Laws is the principal topic treated. The
| seven colonies of Australasia are it is ex-
| planned, Queensland, New South Wales
Western Australia, Victoria and South
| Australia: in Australia proper the two
islands Of New Zealand and the Island of
Tasmania. All but Victoria. South Austria
| liza and New Zealand were originally set
| tied as penal colonies in the first half CEN
fury following 1877. The necessity which
this policy created for large measure Of
government control may partly explain the
active interference of the government of
the different colonies in the industrial life
| Of the people. Whatever be the cause,
however. governmental Intervention or
state socialism. as it Is sometimes called
has proceeded further in the Australasian
colonies than anywhere else.
This action the part Of the state is
shown to a certain extent in an examina-
ton of the labor laws in force there. The
labor contract in New South Wales is regu-
lated by the masters and servants act of
March IL, 1857. This law makes very
rigid provisions concerning the compulsion
of the parties to labor contract to full
Till their engagements. If q servant by
which Is meant practically any person un-
dertaking service. fails to keep the con-
tract for the performance of work he has
undertaken, or is guilty of any misconduct
In its execution, he can be compelled by
the courts to pay such sum of money not
exceeding s4S6, as may be shown to be
due and in default of it's payment his
goods can be levied upon. Should an insult
ticient sum be realized in this way he may
be imprisoned for any period not exceeding
fourteen days or, In lieu Thereof, at the
,, discretion Of the magistrate, may forfeit
the whole or such part of the wages then
due as the magistrate may deem fit.
Penalty of Fraud.
Inc fraudulent securing of an advance
of money or goods by a servant on account
OF future wages to b. earned can be pun
ished by Imprisonment for any term not
exceeding three months. The willful spoil
ing or losing Of goods of the employer can
be punished by like Imprisonment. The
master can also obtain COMPENSATION for
loss resulting from negligent injuries In the
same way as compensation IN case of q
violation Of the contract Is collected and
Where such compensation cannot be Sc
cured the servant may be imprisoned for
not more than fourteen days.
Wages not exceeding So43.33 which are
que ana payable, may be sued for and re-
covered in a summary way. II on levy
the amount due cannot be realized the
master at fault may be committed to iafl
for period not exceeding fourteen DAYS
The unlawful detention of the wearing APP
psrel or other property of a servant is
punished by line of not exceeding S24 33
differences between masters and servants
are also settled In a summary way
The regulation of labor In factories in
the province of South Australia is now
provided for by the act of December 81
1871 and certain regulations issued in
pursuance of its provisions. This act is
very general in nature, entering but little
INTO details of regulations. Its essential
provisions are those creating a system of
factory inspection and defining the powers
and duties of inspectors, those relating to
the employment of women and children and
those empowering the governor to issue
regulations in relation to the hygiene of
factories.
The act applies only within the limits of
municipalities and OF manufacturing dis
trlcts. or such other districts as are fixed
by the governor after a majority of the
ratepayers Of the district have determined
by ballot that the act shall apply. The
term factory Is meant to apply to any
mandatory, workshop or work room in
winch six OF more persons are employed.
Matter of Health.
In respect to the hygiene Of factories the
act itself merely provides that factories
shall be kept clean, well ventilated and not
overcrowded. Regulations issued February
1, 1900, however, provide that every factory
snail have ventilation outlets and inlets In
the proportion of not less than twelve
square inches for each person employed:
that every heating appliance shall be pro-
Vlded with flue sufficient to carry off
products Of combustion; that a hood shall
be provided when necessary; that there
shall De not less than 400 cubic feet of air
space per employee; that walls and ceilings
must be whitewashed, painted vanished
or washed at least once every fourteen
months: that floors. woodwork, etc, must
ne Washeu with not water and soap at least
every three months; that floors and seats
OF closets must he washed weekly: that
urinalS must be cleaned with water daily
and that suitable dressing rooms must be
provided for female employees Separate
water closets must be provided for the two
sexes
The legal regulations In relation to the
labor contract in Queensland are now con-
tanned in the act of August g. 1861 The
significant features of this act are thar IN
enforcing the labor contract, If the pecun-
larry compensation or indemnity awarded
cannot be recovered, the defendant NAV he
imprisoned for not more than three mont MS.
that servants are liable for wilIfully spoil-
Ing or losing property; that unpaid wages
are recoverable in q summary way, and
that differences between employers ana
their employees may be settled by two or
more Justices Of the peace in a summary
way. The act, however, does not permit
the Imprisonment of females
By the trade unions act of 1886 Queens
! land adopted all essential provisions Of tie
British legislation regarding the right of
workingmen to form associations. the reg
ant provisions of the law as regards the
right of association are of course The
clauses declaring that "the purposes of any
trade union shall not by reason merely that
they are in restraint Of trade be deemed to
be unlawful so as to render any member
of such trade union liable to a criminal
prosecution for conspiracy or otherwise
and the purposes of any trade union shall
not. by reason merely that they are in
restraint of trade. be unlawful so as to rem
der void or voidable any agreement or
trust"
Labor Contracts.
The masters and servants act of west
ern Australia passed March IS, 1892. con-
tains the law now in force regarding the
| labor contract. This act provides that
whenever an employer or employee refuses
or neglects to carry out any contract of
| service. or whenever any dispute regard
ing the rights or liabilities of either party
| arises the party who feels himself ag-
grieved can appeal to a Justice of the
peace.
Upon being appealed to this officer must
| summon the other party and by a hear
ing determine the steps that should be
taken to secure justice. If 1t appears hat
the party complained against Is about to