AN INQUIRY PROPOSED.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1899, 6 November 1913, Page 8

AN INQUIRY PROPOSED.

CABINET CONSIDERS LEGISLATION; RESTORING PEACE. INFLAMMATORY SPEECHES DENOUNCED. The subject of the strike was raised in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon by Sir Joseph Ward (Loader of tho Opposition), who asked the Prime Minister whether lie could inform tlio House as to the position in connection with the disptite. Tlio Prime Minister: If I had anything of importance to communicate I should not require to ho asked to do so. Tlio conference between the parties lias broken up without coming to an agreement. Since then nothing lias happened that I can communicate to the House. :

Sir Joseph Ward said he thought that as "the parties had failed to arrive at a settlement, the time had arrived when Parliament should assert itself— {Hear, hear) —by intervening with tlio object of ending the trouble. The pressure of national opinion through their representatives in Parliament should be' brought to boar at once. The position should bo boldly grappled with in siich a manner as to ensure a speedy settlement. Ho was, and always had been, on the side' of law and order. Ho abhorred lawlessness, dangerous excesses, acts of terrorism, or anything prejudicial to good government and the public welfare. Peace should be restored and order preserved. Capital had its duties vis well as its rights, and so had Labour. It was for Parliament to

recognise those facts and do what was necessary for the welfare of society. Most members of the House had no personal interest in tho dispute. Ho wished to place the matter on a higher plane than that of party, and to co-operate with the Government and his fellow members in ending tho present state of affairs. With a view of bringing about poaco he suggested that a Special Committee of tho House be set tip, to bo composed of six members of each party, such members to be selected by the respective parties; that Mr. Speaker should preside over the committee, and that a report should be presented within 24 hours. He suggested that the committee should inquire into the following matters: — Scops of Inquiry. (1) Is legislation necessary to compel a settlement? If so, what lines should it bo 011? (2) Should a special Coi'rt of Arbitration be established, possessing plenary powers, if necessary, to enforce a settlement? (3) Should t'lio State intervene and itself undertake tho handling and shipment of cargo pending a settlement ? (4) Any other matters connected with th 3 dispute upon which the committee thinks the House should be advised. "I believe," said Sir Joseph Ward, "if this were done that tho House could put through legislation, without taking sides, to compel a settleiiffnt by both parties which would bo in the general interests of :he country and without showing any favouritism to either side." Tha Prima Minister. Tho Prime Minister, in leply, Said: I shall bo glad to take the suggestion into consideration a little inter 011. I am very glad to have the assurance of the Loader of the Opposition that ho will do everything he possibly can to maintain law and order. This difficulty lias been intensified by t'ho inflammatory speeches which have been delivered at different centres, and particularly in Wellington. I ain in a position to say that liino out of ovcry ten pooplo are very strongly opposed to tho strike, and arc anxious to bring about a settlement.

Mr. Wob,b: Rot. Absolute rot. Mr. M«sey: I think the honourable mombof lias interjected in a way--Mr. Payne: Oh, don't bo such a bully. , ("Order, order," and "Shut up from all sides of the House.) Mr. Speaker: A very serious matter is now before tho House, and honourable members must not interjcct in a time like this. If any honourable member does, after being warned, other steps will have* to bo taken. (Hear, h °Mr! Massey: Yes, Mr. Speaker, but 1 must call your attontiou to tho irofu v

"rot," wliieh was used. It is a word wliic/i I havo never heard used before in the Parliament of tliis country Government Members: The otuor words were "such o bully."

Mr. Massey: Yes, these two interjections should, I think, bo taken notice of. ■ . Mr. Witty: Thoro was also an interjection of "shut up" from that aido of the Houso which should 1 bo noticed. Voices: Sit down. Mr. Speaker: As tho first interjection came from a new member, I overlooked it to a certain extent. I must ask members to behave in an orderly manner. I hope this will he sufficient for this occasion, and that tliero will bo no trouble in the future. Tho Primo Minister (resuming): I was saying that tho difficulty -has been intensified tenfold by tho inflammatory speeches which havo been made in the Dominion, particularly hero in Wellington. (Mr. Webb mumbled inauclibly.) I want to say that nine* tenths of the people of this country are very strongly opposed to tho strike, and aro anxious to bring about a settlement. (Hoar, hear.) And so far as I know, thoro is 110 feeling against unionism on the part of tho peopie concerned in this strike. Speaking for myself, I may say that I am very strongly in favour of unionism, and sane unionism. Labour Tyrants. But what wo have to deal with here is tho tyranny of a small section of individuals who aro able to influence a small section of workers to their own detriment, mid to the detriment of tho people of tho country as a whole. An Allegation Donlcd. Sir Joseph Ward said he was glad to hear the Prime Minister say that ho would consider liis suggestion. It would be very valuable to have tho advice of half 'a dozen of the -wisest- men on. eaeh side of tho Souse. Ho agreed thai tho matter should bo taken out of the hands of part)'. Although ho had been subjected to misrepresentation in different parts of the country, ho had not at- any time attempted to maljc use of the difficulties that existed, with a view to party gain. After tho troublo Was over ho would be able to show that pretty conclusively. A telegram in the following terms (which had como from Stratford) lay before him: "It is reported here you are one of tho largest shareholders in the Union Company." That sort of thing was circulated by one side, though it was absolutely untrue, as far as he was concerned. Ho was not a shareholder in the Union Company, he never had been, and no one connected with him was a shareholder in the . Union Company. Sir Joseph -Ward i went on to state that he had done all ' in his power to hare law and order preserved. Ho had been against tho strike from the start; he had always been against strikes, and believed that a strike was the most undesirablo way of settling troubles. Ho would prefer to go out of public life at this juncture rather than attempt to secure any party gain out of the troublo that existed.

Mr. J. B. Hino (member for Stratford) asked whether tho Leader of the Opposition had tho names of the men who wore reported to have made statements about "him in Stratford. In fairness _to Stratford these names Bhould be given.

Sir Joseph Ward said that ho would deal with the matter at tho proper time. Ho had a telegram saying that the thing was reported in Stratford. The samo report had been heard in Wellington and no doubt it had gone out from this place.

Tho Prime Minister: "I would like to say that what they are saying about the right lion, gentleman being a share" holder in certain companies is nothing compared to what is being said about myself, I do not take the slightest iio-J tico of the statements that are being* made. At the meeting of Cabinet this morning," tho Prime Minister continued, ; "the possibility of introducing legislation with a view to terminating the strike was discussed. I am not in a I position to say more at the present moment." • I Mr. Webb: Several statements have been made about a section of the men hereCries of "Order." Mr. Speaker said that a certain amount of latitude was allowed to tho Leader of the Opposition, and to the Leader of tho House, but that tho same privilege did not extend to other members.

Mr. Webb: Can I not speak as -tho representative of these men who' are out of work?

Mr. Speaker: Not on this occasion. Mr. Webb: Then I think it is a crying shame, sir! (Order!) Mr. Payne: Mr. Speaker, f oint of order, sir!

Mr. Speaker: I have called on Mr. Buick. Will the lion, gentleman resumo his seat?

When Mr. Buick had presented - a Gommitteo report Mr. Payne again rose to his feet. ''Speaking to the point of order," he said, "may I point out that then; are three parties in this House?" (Order I)

Mr. Speaker: 1 know what the hon, gentleman is going to say. Tho hon, gentleman will resume bis seat I Mr. Payne sat down muttering protests.