Legislative Changes in 1932
Public Safety Conservation Act
After the riots, the Government enforced the Public Safety Conservation Act which was intended to give the police increased power and control over public demonstrations and to restrict the power of Unions.
Immediately after the Auckland Riots, the Parliament voted in the Public Safety Conservation Act 1932, which gave the cabinet power to proclaim a state of emergency and make any regulations necessary to prohibit acts that it believe could compromise public safety. The Act gave almost complete dictatorial powers to the government if they wished to use it in the case of further rioting. The decision was justified based on economic hardship, unemployment and communist activity; although in reality it was a way for them to gain further control of any public disturbances that sought to undermine them. The government was so adamant that this bill go through, that it passed through all three stages in one day.
The focus of the Act as well, was to ensure public safety and ensure public order in the event of a large scale protest. The government did not want a repeat of the Depression Riots. The Act however did not protect the right of a worker to strike. The government would be able to issue emergency regulations so they had increased power. Police could also exercise emergency powers in advance of an official proclamation of a state of emergency which meant the police also now had increased power over the public. Increased punishments were also added to regular sentences of imprisonment and one common one added was Flogging, which included being beaten with a whip.
The focus of the Act as well, was to ensure public safety and ensure public order in the event of a large scale protest. The government did not want a repeat of the Depression Riots. The Act however did not protect the right of a worker to strike. The government would be able to issue emergency regulations so they had increased power. Police could also exercise emergency powers in advance of an official proclamation of a state of emergency which meant the police also now had increased power over the public. Increased punishments were also added to regular sentences of imprisonment and one common one added was Flogging, which included being beaten with a whip.
The Act came under serious criticism from civil liberties groups and parliamentary opposition as it was called the “one of the most undemocratic of the period in the Western world” (Protest in New Zealand). It was seen as solely based on the interest of the government, with no consideration given to the rights and freedoms of the general public. It was described as “potentially the most dangerous and repressive piece of legislation on the New Zealand statute books.” Unions, such as the Post and Telegraphs employees, who protested against wage reductions, were faced with disciplinary action by rule of the government. The Act did not however prevent the further riots which took place in Wellington and Christchurch.
Shown in the article to the right, the Public Safety Conservation Act was "similar to legislation in other countries, including Great Britain and Australia.." as told by George Forbes. The government wanted to ensure that any acts of civil disobedience or other public disturbances could be dealt with immediately, on the spot. They reasoned that without such an Act, significant damages or loss of life might occur in the case of a public upheaval. Therefore, it was necessary to bring about this legislative change.
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Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act
The number of strikes decreased significantly following the passing of the Public Safety Conservation Act, as Unions and strikers now had decreased power and freedom to protest.
Following the passing of the Act, the number of strikes decreased considerably. Union membership fell from 104,000 in 1928 to 72,000 in 1933 and the number of working days lost to strikes fell from 108,000 in 1932 to a record low of 10,000 in 1934, despite the increase in the number of unemployed. It was difficult for unions to remain united because of disagreements within their own leadership and participants. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act was therefore, quickly passed in 1932 to try and resolve this situation. The ability of a Union to strike was also hampered due to the fact that there was increasing numbers of unemployed who were ready and willing to take the places of striking workers. This was because conciliation was made to be a compulsory part of the Act, while arbitration was voluntary and only to be used under the agreement of both parties. As told by Evening Post (right), "an order had been made by the Court of Arbitration referring all disputes pending before the Court back to the Conciliation Commissioner," to make sure the Amendment Act was implemented.
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In the long term, the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act of 1932 led to a spirit of conciliation in the country and the cancellation of unions.
As told by the article from 1934 to the left, two years after the Amendment Act was passed, it was noticed that there was a increasing "spirit of conciliation" in New Zealand. Once it was made compulsory, the attitude of the people towards pacification changed and more people opted for this easily than turn to dispute. There was also cancellation of unions in the years following the passing of the Amendment Act for Industrial Arbitration and Conciliation.
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Finance Act
In the Finance Act of 1932 it was stated that there would be "special power for the dismissal of disloyal officers of certain public services." This was another hastily made decision following the riots, possibly to ensure that public servants would continue to restore order, even as the community was standing united for a different cause. This clause placed a restriction on civil servants in the expression of political expressions.