MR P. C. WEBB, M.P.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16141, 20 February 1918, Page 6

MR P. C. WEBB, M.P.

QUESTION OF MILITARY SERYIOf

COAL MINERS' DEMAND FOR HIS

EXEMPTION,

REPLIES OF MINISTERS,

. (SPECIAL TO "THE rBESS.") WELLINGTON, February 19. Tho truth about the demand of th« coal miners on the West Coast for ox-

omption from military sorvice of Mr T. C. Webb, M.P., is told in the fot lowing telegrams:—

Copy of telegram from the secretary of tho Miners' Union, Blaclfuall, 'to t&a Prime Minister, Sir James Allon, and the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald'"6th February, 1913. Blackball minors at stop-work meeting yesterday, demanded exemption Webb. Insist on our constitutional rights to cfcooeo our representative for Parliament. Will resent any interference by immediate industrial revolt. (Signed) Balderstone."

The Prime Minister replied:—"7th February, 1918. lour telegram received. 1 hope that wisor councils will prevail than tue court© you sug' gest. Parliament decided by Statute mat so tar as compulsory service is concerned, there should be no discrimination between ttto Parliamentary representative .and tuose he represents, m a crisis such as this members of Parliament should snow a good example to private citizens. Thero are mtuiy moinbers of Parliament irom this and other British countries in the lighting lino to-day, and they glory in what they are doing, whilo thoir constituents approve of and are proud of them. Yvestiand has put up a good record during tfte war, and i trust nothing will bo dono to lessen the credit which your provincial district has so far deserved. The question of exempting your representative has already been before the tribunal provided by law, and its decision must bo observed by Mr Webb, just as by any other member of community wno has boen drawn ior military service. (.Signed) YV. JO. Massey.''

riir James Allen replied:—"7th February, lUitf. Tho I'nnio Minister aiid tno rlon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Mines, Jiavo replied to your telegram of yestorday. The Prime Minister's repiy was sent after the. question hail boon considered in Cabinet. It is difficult for me to believe that Mr Webb approves of tlie telegram sont by you or of your action in endeavouring to have him exempted. The Military Service Act provides that unmarried fit men, wiiaiorer their station in life, unloss exempted by tho Military Service Boards, must ao their duty in this time when their country needs them in its defence, lho appeal on behalf of Mr Webb has been i.eard by an impartial tribunal and dismissed. Like Sill others iu a similar position, Mr VVcbD hurst obey the law, and 1 am satisfied that willing acquiescence on the port of tho Blackball miners will reilect honour on your representative and oU yourselves.—(.Signeu) J. Allen." 'lno Hon. vv. D. S. Mac Donald replied:—"February 6th, 11)18. —koceived your wiru re exemption Webb, ivi-P. "Kogret to hear miners' demand. It wouia oo wail to remember tnat when wo demand constitutional rignvs wo can only obtain tncie rignts b>" abiding by the constitutional laws of the Dominion. 1 would strongly urge iu the interest of nomocracy, and in tnc general interest ol tne workers, and especially tno miners, that no action snouici be taken by tnem whlctt will cause industrial trouble during the present Empire crisis. 1 shall be pleased to place your representations before Cabinet ior* consiueraton, but as I l stated in my previous telegram, youi | member has tno same tribunal to deju i witii Ills cuso iis all other reservists in 1 the country, and at that tribunal Mr i Webb will receive consideration and justice. —(Signed) \v. D. fc>. MacDonald." Copy of telesram from tnc secretary of tne Roa timers' Union, Blackball, to Sir James Alio", Wellington, dated 12th February, IJJIB: —'Miners Union demands rehearing of Wobb before Appeal Board; taili.ig, union will itct. — fc>mith. - ' Sir James Allen replied:—"l2th Febbruary, laiH.—i'our telegram re Mr Wcbu* M.l\, received. I have to point out that Military Service Board is onlv authority that has power to grant exemption from milita:/ f.orviceIt i,3 the tnbunal provided by law, artd its decision must be observod by Mr Webb, just as by any other member of the community, who has been called up for military service. Board has considered application for rehearing, and has refused it. lam unable thereioro to interfere iiu this matter. (Signed) J. Allen."