GOVERNMENT ACTION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1549, 19 September 1912, Page 5

GOVERNMENT ACTION.

DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT. SHOULD POLICE BE WITHDRAWN? MJji. MASSET SAYS "NO." •

The action taken by the Government in regard to tlio troubles at Waihi formed the subject of a brief discussion in the Houso of Bcpresentutives yesterday afternoon.

Mr. H. Poland (Ohincmuri) asked the Minister for Labour without notice if the Government intended to take any immediate action to bring alraut a settlement of the industrial trouble (at Waihi.

Tho Hon. W. F. Massoy (Minister for Labour) said he did not suppose that the member for Oliinemuri'would expect him to go into del nils, but the Government had done, and were doing, as much as could bo done to bring about a settlement, unfortunately without result. Mr. Poland then asked that Ihe Government should withdraw the extra 'police at Waihi, urging that the presence of such a largo force of police (hero had roused feelings which stood in the way of amicable settlement.

Police Will Stay at Waih(. Mr. Massey said in reply to the question thai) tho police would remain at Waihi as long as it .was necessary, but not a day longer than it was necessary, to give adequate protection to those who required protection, and who were undoubtedly entitled to i,t. (Hear, hear.) The Hon. H. M'Koimc (Motuok'O said that although the Prime Minister had said the Government were doing all that was possible, things had arrived at such ii stage now that the Houso and the country were entitled to know what the Government was doing to bring about a settlement of this dispute. The results of the (rouble were likely to be disastrous to the whole community, and a (fairs connected with it should not be allowed to drift. The fact (hat ;l large force of lwliop had been concentrated at Waihi had, be thought, brought: about irritating results, lie hoped (he leader of tho Government, would take the House and (ho country into its confidence; personally he was not aware that the Government had taken any steps to scltlo the trouble.

Mr. Harris (Woitomatah Do you suggest that protection should nnl I>g given to Inw-abiding citizens, in Wnihi? Mr. M'Kenzie sniil he was not suggesting nnvMiiiiK of the sort, but: so far as ho know they were all reasonable law-abiding people, at Wnihi.

In Defence of the Strikers. Jl>. W. A. Yeileh (Wanganui) said he did not know with certainty wliat the position was at Waihi, and lie was (herefore not prepared to 'ay whether tho Government had done vifjlillv or wrongly ill sending police there. There was a (treat deal of excitement and panic there. Sonic people thought that they were likely to be murdered on ihe spot, which was nonsense, and others had an idea that Ihev could he more aggressive than thev had a right to lie. Hut the history, of strikes hud proved that the advent of the police on the scene was Ihe beginning- of exc«?=cs in conduct on the part of Ihe strikers. He was not sure that it had bi'cn nccc-ary In *nu\ police I'i Waihi. and he wished to pay his tribute In the goncl romliicl of (he men on strike there. Generally, (heir conduit reflected great credit «n themselves, and their leaders. With regard to I lie unfnriuniti incidents that broucht about the Police Court

proceedings recently, it seemed to him that Ihe teriousnoi of I hem depended upon tho extent: of the feeling oi panic llierc. Jfo was sorry m> many police had been sent to.Waihi, but he admitted that, not being on the spot, lie did not know iho details, lie thought the niagislrato should simply linve warned the men on their first appearance before the Court that a recurrence of similar conduct by them would be punished. It must be recognised that llic leadens of the union had nut. linen inciting l|iu men to do anything improper. If tljey had done so, excesses would havo taken place long ago. He earnestly hoped the Government would take si ens lo settle (ha dispute. Mr. Mnssoy: What do you suggest? Mr. Vcitch raid he was not prepared (o make a proposal at once, but he was willing to submit one later if the Government would give it consideration. Mr. Okey: Why discuss it now? Mr. Vcitch said lie thought the matter was of such national importance that it ought to be discussed. Other Labour Members. Mr. ,T. llolierlson (Otaki) asked the Minister for Justice at whose request tho' extra police were sent to Waihi, and bow many police were there now. The Hon. A. L. Hordmau said that he could not at the moment recollect Iho names of the persons who had applied for additional police at Wnihi. Scores of people had made application lo the Government to provide tlieiii with proper and adequate protection, and repeated requests had been made to the Government' for the adequate protection of those who were being terrorised at Waihi. There were between CO and 70 policemen .in Wnihi at the present time. , 7 Mr. ,T. Pnyno (Grey Lynn) asked the Prime Minister whether he would introduce, legislation to provide, that where a union had onee withdrawn from the operation of (he Arbitration Act it should not again come within the scope of the Act save by a majority vote of its members. Mrt Payne said that if such a provision lycro enacted and made retrospective for one year it would' put ' an end lo (ho (rouble at Waihi.

The Prime Minister said that there would be nn amendment of the .Arbitration Act before Parliament during tlio present session. If the Bill did not contain the clause referred (o by the bon. member he would have on opportunity of moving it when the Bill.was in committee. (Laughter.)