Fix this text
THE JOURNALIST
Fix this textOfficial Journal of The
Fix this textAustralian Journalists’ Association /
Fix this text(Registered at the G.P.0., Sydney, for transmission by post as a
Fix this textEditorial Address: Australian Journalists’ Association, 145 Collins Street, Melbou^n^,
Fix this textPrice^HfSti.
Fix this textr\ r» » - _ * ll
Fix this textCHANGE OF
Fix this textADDRESS
Fix this textA member, on
Fix this textchanging his ad-
Fix this textdress, should regis-
Fix this textter his new address
Fix this textwith his district sec-
Fix this textretary. This will
Fix this textfacilitate the postal
Fix this textdelivery to him of
Fix this textAJA correspondence
Fix this textand the Journalist.
Fix this textCOMMISSIONER SAYS "NO"
Fix this textTO INTERIM AWARD
Fix this textHopes For Guide in Bank Case
Fix this textCONCILIATION Commissioner Mr. A. S. Blackburn refused an AJA applic-
Fix this textation for an interim award on salaries, when he resumed the hearing of
Fix this textthe Metropolitan Dailies' Award in Melbourne on December 1.
Fix this textMr Blackburn based his decision on the ruling by the Chief Judge of the Arbitration
Fix this textCourt, Sir Raymond Kelly, that the 2\ times increase in margins formula in the Metal
Fix this textTrades was inappropriate to salaried industries.
Fix this textBut the Commissioner intimated that he might get
Fix this textsome guide from the Bank Officials' application for an in-
Fix this textterim award on salaries, which he had referred to the
Fix this textArbitration Court.
Fix this textHe was hopeful that the Bapk Case would come before the
Fix this textCourt in the very near future, and be finalised before Christmas.
Fix this textMr Blackburn said, however, it would appear to be justice that
Fix this textif the Court laid down a principle it should apply retrospectively
Fix this textto the day the Court said it should apply.
Fix this textMAKING thfe application on behalf
Fix this text® of the AJA, Mr Brodney sub-
Fix this textmitted that if there was to be
Fix this textindustrial justice for the working
Fix this textjournalist, it must be prompt.
Fix this textThere had been a long series of de-
Fix this textlays since the expiration of the pre-
Fix this textsent log.
Fix this textGross; and eu* ;>*?le delay by the
Fix this textproprietors was not suggested, but
Fix this textthey had taken every point open to
Fix this textthem in the procedural armory.
Fix this textFormula as Guide
Fix this textMr Brodney said that if AJA mem-
Fix this textbers were to get the whole of their log
Fix this textclaims they would be getting only
Fix this textthat to which they were justly en-
Fix this texttitled.
Fix this textThe 2\ times formula did not go as
Fix this texthigh as that, but he submitted that the
Fix this textCommissioner could use that formula
Fix this textas a guide in an interim award.
Fix this textMr Brodney then submitted a sche-
Fix this textdule showing the application of the
Fix this textMetal Trades grades formula to sala-
Fix this textries of journalists.
Fix this textThe formula would provide for pay
Fix this textrises of from £2/2/3 in D Grade to
Fix this text£l2/15/- in A 1 in Melbourne and Syd-
Fix this textney; from £l/7/3 to £lO/19/9 in
Fix this textPerth, Adelaide and Brisbane; and
Fix this textfrom 6/-'to £B/6/9 in Hobart.
Fix this text“We ask you to make an interim
Fix this textaward on salaries in the form of this
Fix this textschedule, and we think that, to allow
Fix this textfor the necessary accountancy adjust-
Fix this textments and like matters to be attended
Fix this textto, it should operate, perhaps, at the
Fix this textend of this month,” Mr Brodney said.
Fix this textHear Evidence
Fix this text. Mr Blackburn said it would be en-
Fix this texttirely wrong for him to grant a salary
Fix this textincrease in this industry solely on the
Fix this textbasis of the formula of the Metal
Fix this textTrades judgment.
Fix this text“At this stage I must go ahead and
Fix this textbear the evidence, and the sooner the
Fix this textbetter,” he added.
Fix this text“I must hear the employers’ evid-
Fix this textence, if any—the answer to the evid-
Fix this textence given by the claimants—and de-
Fix this textcide the matter on my own responsi-
Fix this textbility.
Fix this text“Believe me there will be no delay
Fix this texton my part.”
Fix this textMr A. C. Beattie then outlined the
Fix this textnature of the evidence that would be
Fix this textProduced on behalf of the proprietors.
Fix this textWhen this edition was going to
Fix this textPress witnesses from Brisbane had
Fix this textbegun evidence.
Fix this textThe proprietors, it is believed, are
Fix this textcalling evidence from each capital, and
Fix this textme dates fixed for their hearing were
Fix this textDecember 1, 2 and 3 and 8, 9 and 10.
Fix this textThe AJA completed its case on No-
Fix this textvember 10. The Commissioner had
Fix this textthen heard 121 witnesses as follows:
Fix this textNew South Wales 41, Victoria 35,
Fix this textQueensland, South Australia and Wes-
Fix this texttern Australia 13 each, Tasmania 6.
Fix this text, When Mr Blackburn resumed the
Fix this text•tearing on December 1 he recalled
Fix this textmat Mr Pratt had intimated he wanted
Fix this textto make application on the lines of the
Fix this textMetal Trades ruling.
Fix this text“I presume in view of what the
Fix this textCourt said in the Repatriation Medical
Fix this textOfficers’ case and my reference of the
Fix this textBank Officials’ case to the Court you
Fix this textdo not want to argue for me to apply
Fix this textsuch a rule now,” Mr Blackburn said.
Fix this text“I will certainly listen, but in view
Fix this textof that I would take a lot of per-
Fix this textsuasion.*
Fix this textMr Brodney: “We feel in this mat-
Fix this textter very greatly disturbed that in each
Fix this textturn of the industrial wheel some new
Fix this textproposals are advanced which, it is
Fix this textsubmitted with great earnestness and
Fix this textassurance, will apply as a guide in this
Fix this textcase.
Fix this text“We have had already the experi-
Fix this textence of two such approaches being
Fix this textmade and now it is manifest that the
Fix this textguidance that was expected in the
Fix this textmain Metal Trades margins case will
Fix this textbe said to be no guide.
Fix this text“We have got no assurance, and we
Fix this textcan have no assurance, that whatever
Fix this textprinciples may fall from the Full
Fix this textCourt in either the Repatriation Medi-
Fix this textcal Officers’ case or thed3ank Officials’
Fix this textcase, or any other case, will provide
Fix this textany guidance to you or to Mr Pratt or
Fix this textMr Beattie. They cannot assure you
Fix this textof that.”
Fix this textThe Commissioner: “If that is so this
Fix this textcase must take the course every Arbi-
Fix this texttration matter takes, that is to go
Fix this textahead, hear the whole of the evidence,
Fix this textand arbitrate from it unassisted by
Fix this textany rule laid down by anyone.”
Fix this textMr Brodney: “I think I can satisfy
Fix this textyou that there is a way of dealing with
Fix this textthat. The Metal Trades margins case
Fix this textlays down certain principles. Those
Fix this textprinciples have already in the judg-
Fix this textment itself been qualified at the bot-
Fix this texttom.”
Fix this text“The very powerful dicta of the
Fix this textChief Judge in granting leave to ap-
Fix this textpeal in the Repatriation Medical Offi-
Fix this textcers’ case rather indicated a qualifica-
Fix this texttion at the top of the ladder.
Fix this text“Journalists are not so much at
Fix this textthe bottom of the ladder, or at the
Fix this textmiddle of the ladder or at the top of
Fix this textthe ladder. They are on a ladder of
Fix this texttheir own.
Fix this text“I think it could be said fairly that
Fix this textby now you have had an adequate de-
Fix this textscription of the situation of the work-
Fix this texting journalist and you will have had
Fix this textconfirmation of the remark of the late
Fix this textMr Justice Isaacs that this industry is
Fix this textsui generis. •
Fix this text“That wag in the award made by Mr
Fix this textJustice Isaacs many years ago, with
Fix this textwhich you are no doubt familiar.
Fix this textAmple Evidence
Fix this text“That is the way we put it. This
Fix this textindustry is one of its own kind. Natu-
Fix this textrally, the working journalist in his
Fix this textcapacity of employee, has common ele-
Fix this textments with every other employee, but
Fix this textthe circumstances of his work are in
Fix this textthat sense unique.
Fix this text“We say there is before you ample
Fix this textevidence to justify you making an
Fix this textaward of an interim character here
Fix this textand now.
Fix this text“Evidence is substantially unchall-
Fix this textenged in cross-examination.
Fix this text“If, at this stage it is clear that a
Fix this textcase has been made then by all the
Fix this textcanons of reason in industrial matters
Fix this texta wage increase inevitably will be re-
Fix this textquired in the New Year.
Fix this textAppearances
Fix this textThe AJA case is being conducted
Fix this textby Mr A. Brodney, General Secre-
Fix this texttary Syd Pratt and New South Wales
Fix this textDistrict Secretary Gordon Coleman.
Fix this textMr A. C. Beattie is representing
Fix this textthe metropolitan daily newspaper
Fix this textproprietors.
Fix this textXmas Week
Fix this textHours
Fix this textMembers are reminded of
Fix this textaward provisions concerning
Fix this texthours of employment in Christ-
Fix this textmas week.
Fix this textIn the week in which Christmas
Fix this textDay occurs, the ordinary hours of
Fix this textduty on day work are reduced to 32
Fix this textand on night work to 30.
Fix this textThe number of working days or
Fix this textnights for the week must be re-
Fix this textduced by one.
Fix this textTime worked in excess of these
Fix this textreduced hours cannot be allowed off
Fix this textduty, but must be paid for at the
Fix this textrate of double time.
Fix this textIf the additional day or night off
Fix this textduty is not given during Christmas
Fix this textweek, it must be paid for at the rate
Fix this textof double time.
Fix this text'Journalist Entitled to Rise'
Fix this text"We submit with great earnestness that the working journalist is entitled to an increase,
Fix this texthere and now; that seems to be incontestable," Mr Brodney submitted.
Fix this text“Are the proprietors going to stand
Fix this texthere and say that, having regard to the
Fix this textprices of food, clothing and shelter at
Fix this textthe present time, that the rates in the
Fix this textaward are adequate?
Fix this text“It seems to be preposterous that
Fix this textthey should do such a thing. I sub-
Fix this textmit they must concede to you, des-
Fix this textpite formal denials, that a wage in-
Fix this textcrease is justified of some sort. How
Fix this textmuch is a question of another kind.
Fix this text“We feel some amazement that the
Fix this textproprietors—l may refer to the final
Fix this textcomment of the proprietors in their
Fix this textown leading articles throughout Aus-
Fix this texttralia—do not come here and say, ‘Yes,
Fix this textMr Commissioner, there is a right to
Fix this textan increase. We concede something on
Fix this textaccount.’
Fix this text“But, no, we are met with a blank
Fix this textdenial, ‘You are not entitled to any-
Fix this textthing.’ We are fought at every
Fix this textpoint.
Fix this text“We do not say merely automatically
Fix this textthat you should apply the 2\ times for-
Fix this textmula. You can use it as a guide.
Fix this text“The Court did not suggest all the
Fix this textMetal Trades should automatically ap-
Fix this textply it. It said other factors must be
Fix this textconsidered.
Fix this textIt did say that if by application of
Fix this textthe 2\ times formula those on the
Fix this textlower rate were to suffer a decrease,
Fix this textthe formula would not operate.
Fix this text“There was a floor level below which
Fix this textthe re-assessment would not go. We-
Fix this textare asking for a temporary re-assess-
Fix this textment.
Fix this text“If, contrary to what I have said, the
Fix this textCourt in due course gives some guid-
Fix this textance everybody will be free to re-
Fix this textargue the matter.
Fix this text“You will not be precluded in any
Fix this textway by doing final justice in this in-
Fix this textdustry if any guidance should come
Fix this textfrom the Court.
Fix this text“We hope it will, hut we do not
Fix this textthink that merely on expectation of
Fix this textsome guidance, of some favors to be
Fix this textreceived by way of statement of
Fix this textprinciple, that in the meantime our
Fix this textmembers should he denied what
Fix this textthey are rightly entitled to.
Fix this text“If one looks at the figures, the ap-
Fix this textplication of the formula would be a
Fix this textconvenient way to deal with the in-
Fix this textdustry because the rates in our log,
Fix this textbeyond which we are unable to go,
Fix this textof course, would only be doing ade-
Fix this textquate justice.
Fix this text“They are not a fantastically con-
Fix this textceived log of salary claims merely to
Fix this textcreate a wide ambit of dispute.
Fix this text“If they had been that, which of
Fix this textcourse we do not for a moment admit,
Fix this textthe times have brought them within
Fix this textthe scope of great reality.
Fix this text“When the Australian Council of
Fix this textTrade Unions started the move to bring
Fix this textforward the hearing of the margins
Fix this textclaims, and the Court acceded to that
Fix this textand said there should be an earlier
Fix this texthearing, surely that is an authorita-
Fix this texttive pronouncement that there should
Fix this textbe an early increase, an up-grading of
Fix this textsalaries and wages.
Fix this text“And if guidance is to be sought in
Fix this textwhat the Full Court has done surely
Fix this textthat is valuable guidance, and in place
Fix this textof that we are amazed that the pro-
Fix this textprietors do not say, ‘Yes, there should
Fix this textbe an up-grading.’
Fix this textA.J.A. Ready to Confer
Fix this text“I would like to hear from Mr Beat-
Fix this texttie. Does he say to you in all serious-
Fix this textness that the working journalist is not
Fix this textentitled, at this very date, to an in-
Fix this textcrease?
Fix this text“It seems to me an utterly prepos-
Fix this textterous position that he should be op-
Fix this textposing any increase.” -
Fix this textThe Commissioner: “If every pro-
Fix this textprietor said, ‘We think there ought to
Fix this textbe an increase,’ I would say, ‘Call your
Fix this textevidence and I will decide it.’ You
Fix this texthave not reached agreement. You have
Fix this textthrown on me the task of assessment,
Fix this textand I am going to make an assessment
Fix this textto the best of my ability when I have
Fix this textheard the evidence.”
Fix this textMr Brodney: “It is not the AJA
Fix this textalone that has thrown that on you.”
Fix this textThe Commissioner: “Both of them.”
Fix this textMr Brodney: “This is the first time
Fix this textthe proprietors have ever fought us
Fix this textto the death. This is an industry
Fix this textwhere conference has fixed these mat-
Fix this textters.
Fix this text“We are still ready to confer. If
Fix this textthe employers say that 2\ times is
Fix this texttoo high let them say 2.43 is suffi-
Fix this textcient—but no, nothing, nothing.
Fix this text“The working journalist, the man
Fix this textafter all who prepares the news and
Fix this textedits it, still thinks denial is going on,
Fix this textand the delay is going on while other
Fix this textsections of the community are receiv-
Fix this texting at the 'hands of the Court increases
Fix this texton the basis of industrial justice.”
Fix this text(Continued on next page)
Fix this textTasmanians Put Case, page 3
Fix this textOwners Begin Their Case, page 2
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2115598237
Australian Journalists' Association & New Zealand Journalists' Association. (1927). The Journalist Retrieved May 25, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2115598237
Australian Journalists' Association and New Zealand Journalists' Association. The Journalist Sydney: Australian Journalists' Association, 1927. Web. 25 May 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2115598237>
Australian Journalists' Association & New Zealand Journalists' Association. 1927, The Journalist Australian Journalists' Association, Sydney viewed 25 May 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2115598237
{{Citation
| author1=Australian Journalists' Association.
| author2=New Zealand Journalists' Association.
| title=The Journalist
| year=1927
| section=v. : ill., ports. ; 33 cm.
| issn=0022-5584
| issue=December 1954
| location=Sydney
| publisher=Australian Journalists' Association
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2115598237
| id=nla.obj-2115598237
| access-date=25 May 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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