In the 1894 pastoral strike the police were given sole power to 'preserve order and secure liberty to all alike' to avoid the expensive and controversial involvement of the military as in the 1891 strike, and he took command in Longreach, Winton, and other centres. After his request for greater legal power to compensate for limited manpower, the government introduced the controversial peace preservation bill, which permitted detention without trial for periods up to two months.
During the 1894 pastoral strike, the police were granted exclusive authority to 'preserve order and ensure freedom' to avoid military involvement as in the 1891 dispute. The officer took charge in Longreach, Winton, and other regions. Following his request for more legal powers due to limited resources, the government introduced the controversial peace preservation bill, permitting detention without trial for up to two months.