AN UNQUALIFIED DENIAL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1917, 27 November 1913, Page 7

AN UNQUALIFIED DENIAL.

MR, ROBERTSON'S MARE'S NEST. In the House of Representatives recently Mr. Robertson (Otalu) asked the Government: "Whether they will take, steps to ascertain if it is a fact that a few days after tlio conference between the employers' representatives and tho representatives of the Federation ot Labour, presided over by tho Prime Minister on October 28, tho representatives of tho shipping companies concerned were agreeable to the discussion of a settlement on tho basis of a proposal previously submitted by them at tho said conference—winch proposal has since been offered and is still offered by tho Federation of Labour as a basis or settlement—and that the representatives of tho Merchants' Association in Wellington intimidated | the shipping companies into withdrawing this offer bv threatening to fix up freight contracts with an outside shipping company; and, if this is found to be true, will the Government tako steps to see that such intimidation is put an end to. in order that tho industries of the country mav bo no longer hold up at the behest of a combine- which is alleged to bo operating to tho detriment ol commerce and, by raising the price of commodities, gaining advantages for itself by tho continuance of the strike?" Replying to the question yesterday, tho Hon. W. F. Masscy (Prime Minister) stated: "With' regard to the question of the honourable member the following unsolicited communication has been received: 'Merchants' Association of Now Zealand, Wellington, November 20, 1913—The Hon. the Prime- Minister.—Dear Sir,—With reference to the question by Mr. Robertson, M.P., addressed to the Government in tho Houso of Representatives on, Tuesday, as reported ih''tho'Tress' ."'';''.' reflecting on tho Merchants' Association, on belialf of my association I beg to in- ■ form you that the charges contained in Mr. Robertson's question are without any foundation in.fact, and, therefore, are given an unqualified denial. —Yours faithfully, G. Shirtclilfe, chairman.'"