ALLEGED INTIMIDATION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1910, 19 November 1913, Page 8

ALLEGED INTIMIDATION.

Mr, S, Robertson gave notice of the faltering question in the Htmse of Representatives yesterday:«-'• Whether tho Government will take steps t& ascertain if it is a fast that a tew days after the conference between the em* 'pjoyers' representatives and the representatives of tho Federation of Labour, presided over by the Prime Minister on October 28, the representative of tho shipping companies concerned were ■agreeable to discussing a settlement on a basis of a proposal previously submitted by them at the said conference —which proposal has since, been offered and is still offered by tho Federation of Labour as a basis of set'tkmiciii— and that the representatives of the Merchants' Association in Wellington intimidated the shipping companies into withdrawing this offer by threat* ettiiig to fix up freight contracts with an, outside shipping company; and, if this is found if} be true, will the ;Govormnout take steps to see that such intimidation k put'an end to, in order that the industries of the country may be no loiigcT held up at the behest of a cqinbiue which has already .been proved to be operating to the detriment'' of commerce and which at tho present tinio by raising the '\rrice of .commodities is gaining advantages (of itself' by this Mnfcinuaaca of tho- gtxikia?/*