WAR REGULATIONS
MR. WEBB STATES HIS CASE THE TROUBLE AT THE MINES. . Mr. P. C. "WEBB (Grey) moved for leavo to introduce tho War Regulations lAmondmont Bill. Ho was proceeding to road from a newspaper article condemning tho War Regulations, but was checked on a point of order raised by tho Prime Minister, who pointed out That newspaper comment on the proceedings of Parliament must not be repeated in the House. , Mr. Webb said that under the present War-Regulations some of the finest men wBo ever breathed were lying behind prison liars in New Zealand. If the men were German sympathisers, antagonistic to the Dominion, lie would raise no voice ngainst their imprisonment. But they Were loyal British subjects, who had Sought on the side of- the people against tho exploiting classes. It had been a "very good day for New Zealand when Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward left for London. The Ministers left behind had shown a great deal more reason and good senso thsin the party leaders had over done. Sir James Alien and tho •Hon. W. T). S. Mac Donald had averted a great industrial upheaval. Yet men ■who had assisted to avert that disaster liad been consigned to gaol. Mr. Webb proceeded to discuss tho ovents following tho strike in the Stato mines against compulsory sorvice. The leaders of the "workers had done their best to prevent industrial troublo ever since tho outbreak of war despito the fact that exploiters wore making millions in war profits at the expenso of'the workers. Tho nion now in gaol wero tho men who had saved New Zealand from an upheaval; thoso prisoners could produce industrial turmoil from their cells if they lifted their little fingers, but thcf stood still for peace. The "go-slow" policy at tho mines had been a result of tho refusal of the coalowners to meet the miners in conference. Mr. Webb himself oamo to Wellington to solicit tho assistance of tho Ministor of Mines in arranging this conference, and had to wait a week "becauso tho Minister was away begging the farmers to grow ■wheat at a 65 per cent, advance on prewar rates. Ho had tried then and later to avert a threatened industrial crisis. He .had been assisted by tho conciliatory attitude of the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen) and the Minister of Mines (Mr. Mac Donald). Ho had acted in council with tho Ministers, and he was quite certain <hat but for tho efforts made then New Zealand would have suffered a very grave disaster. Tho big strikes that had affected the Dominion in recent years would never havo taken placo if tho Prinio Minister had not boon pig-headed.
The Speaker Intervenes. Tho Speaker said the word ''pig-head-«d" must not bo applied to a member of the House. Mr. Webb: "t withdraw. I meant to eay big-headed." Ho did not regret having gone to one of His Majesty's prisons. He had met iu prison some of tho best men alive, and he had left outsido some of tho greatest scoundrels who had ever breathed—somo of thorn in tho House. Tho Speaker: The honourablo gentleman must Withdraw that remark and express regrot. Mr. Webb: "I will withdraw and express regret." Tho speech was eut short but tho expiration of. tho timo limit. Mr. J. JI'COAIBS (Lyttelton) warmly condemned tho War Regulations, and charged the National Government with tampering with the liberties of the people of New Zealand. Mr. Webb, in reply, was continuing his account of tho events preceding his imprisonment, but was checked by tho Speaker, who said that a member in reply must not cover new ground. Motion Defeated. The motion for leavo to introduce tho
Bill was defeated on a division by 31 votes to 10. Tho division list was as follows:— Ayes (10): Carroll, G'raigie, Findlay, Glover, M'Corabs, Payne, Sidey, Thacker, Walker, Webb. Notes (31): Allen, Bollard, Buddo, Buick, .T. if. Dickson, ,T. S. Dickson, T. A. 11. Field, Eraser, Hanan, Hcrdnian, Herries, Hudson, Hunter, Jennings, Mnnder, Massey, Myers, Dr. Newman, Nosworthv, Okoy, Parr, Pearee, Pomare, Reed, E. H. Whodes, Russell, Scott, G. H. Smith, Statham, Sykes, Ward, "Wilkinson, Wright, Young.
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Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3160, 11 August 1917, Page 9
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693WAR REGULATIONS Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3160, 11 August 1917, Page 9
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