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Prime Minister Reticent.
Melbourne Opinions.
AWhmirn*. Dec. 11.
The Prime Minister (Mr. S. M. Bruce)
when, interviewed to-day, said that he had
no comment to make regarding the an
.iimwimimi .ttvnt- tJiA Hiah Court hao
ordered we reieaw pn aiessrs. tmraui *vuiu
Johnson. The Minister for Trade- and
Customs was equally reticent.
The receipt of the- news in Melbourne
caused amazement in Federal circles.
Sdnce the Federal Ministry first contem
plaited action to put an end to industrial
disturbances s-uchi as the recent shipping
d.ispute, very close attention had been
given by its legal ndvi-sere — the officers
of the Attorney General's Department—
to the extent of the powers which the
Commonwealth, could exercise tindiar the
Constitution. In dew of the opinions, of
its legnl advi«er.S|, tlie Ministry was con
fid«nt that it was not exceeding its pow-.
ers when it amended the Immigration Act
in the last session of Parliament to deal
with industrial peace, and every Minister
was completely cortfWwt 'that the High
Court would uphold the constitutionality
of the procedure adopted.
In the absence of the High Court's
reasons for its decision, no definite opin
ion could be formed to-day or to the steps
likely to be taken by. the Ministry. One
view expre^sodi in a wellrinformei quarter
was uuit the Federal Ministry had made a
legal blunder in. claiming power to deport
industrial -fisturbers under the provisions
of the Immigration Act, but that had it
amended the Customs Act to providle for
deportation, its action would have been
constitutional. Should this prove to be the
case, it is probable that the Ministry wall,
in the. coming session of Parliament, in
troduce deportation legislation similar to
that Tepently passed, but as an amendment
of the Customs Act instead of an amend
ment of the Immigration. Act. According
to the view exprowsei to-day, it would
then be in a position to deal with persons
who interfercdi with 'the trade and com
merce of the country.
The whole matter will reoeive the atten
tion of the Cabinet whon the full text of
of the High Court's decision comes to
hand. According to the present arrange
ment the Cabinet will not meet until early
in January, the Ministers having dispersed
to their various States for the Christmas
vacation and to enjoy a rest before the
opening of the new Parliament on Wed
nesday, January IS.
$