EMBARGO ON NEW ZEALAND SHIPS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14831, 24 November 1913, Page 8

EMBARGO ON NEW ZEALAND SHIPS.

FEDERAL PREMIER'S REPLY TO

FEDERATION'S REQUEST.

(By C»U«!—Pxe» Association.—Copyright* SYT>NEY, November T2. The Federal Premier, tho Moo: Joseph Cook, in reply to the letter of the secretary of the Labour Federation of Australia urging Federal action in connexion with tho New Zealand strike, says:—

"I note what you say as to the conduct of employers and employees in respect to arbitration, but it does not appear to mc that I am called upon to come to any conclusion, or express any opinion ■on such matters at present,. nor am I called upon to admit or dispute your claim that tho action of your Federation reflects the opinion of the majority of tho citizens of.'Australia. "I do, however, sincerely hope that;*: your expressed desire for industrial peace; in Australia may be f uifilled, and may I be permitted also to express the hope that your Federation Trill giro its best aid towards - maintaining such -peace in Australia; and, if possible, preventing the industrial troubles of another country spreading to this. , -■, "As to tho particular object of your resolution, I do not yet gather whether • you suggest that the Government should nlaco an embargo on all shios coming from New; Zealand,, or only on such as have been loaded by some particular person; or bodies of persons. Even if the Government possessed such "power, it could not entertain a proposition that it* should throw the weight of its autborit" upon one side or the other. aresnlfc which would throw into confneion the ;whole commercial intercourse between country and the Dominion,"