QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3162, 14 August 1917, Page 6

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT

GOVERNMENT STRENGTH DEMONSTRATED WHO IS TO RULE? There 'was an eleotrioal atmosphere about the New South Wales Legislative Assembly when Parliament met. There were 72 members in the House, including all the members of the Cabinot. The public galleries were well occupied with interested spectators, and it was noticeable that several members of the Upper House had tnken up positions at the back of the Speaker's chair. Mr. Gardiner, the Independent Labour member for Newcastle, got in ahead of tho Leader of the Opposition on tho question of tho striko. He asked tho Acting-Premier if ho would allow the House an opportunity to discuss the fitrike, with a view of evolving un amicablo settlement. r Jlr. Fuller contented himself with' replying that the House would have the fullest opportunity of discussing the matter on the Estimates. J[r. John Storey, Leader of the Oppothen moved for the suspension of th=) standing orders, on the plea of the urgent necessity of instituting an immediate inquiry into the- industrial affaire of the State. In doia? so,, he said that he took that course with a Ml eenee of the responsibility attaching to his action. "TVe are to-day engaged," ho said, "in an industrial dispute which ■will involve,- if permitted to almost nveiy person in New South The effects of it must of recespi'y be of a disastrous character. Tt will onfl in the whole of our .social nid industrial stairs boinsr dislocated. The- wholp of New South Walfe is likelv to be involved in industrial turmoil. TJplay may mean vp-v serious continences."

The House divided on flip question of suspending the stnndin? ordprs. It vros dlnio-.t n" purely ™Ht division. Air. Gsmlinw vntfd with the Opposition, ■whil" ~\\r. Price, the Independent n'«mlior for Gloncestp'-. vtrf»d witV tlin (?nvoninioni- > r r. fitm-ey's resolution was IoH bv U votes to 28."

Tt slionld nerhnps be tliat. T -l,;u (■''" Estimntwi Ho on tlio tiWo of the Ho'ise, motions for the Rdjmirpment nf tl->r> Hous°— Hip oHinnry coursp tiiltpn to , discuss matters of extreme urgency— o-iTinot be movpil unless they are for 1 Tie discussion of matters quite, outside the srone of the Estimates. Inasmuch as the Estimates practically cover .the whole domain nf administration, this resh'iciinn practically places an embargo on the nwvinp of the adjournment of the House. Mr. ,Cocliran p'l;ed thp Aotinpr-Premier whether he ronld regard the citrd system As of more importance than the convenience, comfort; and welfare of the public. llr. Fuller replied t.hnt the qiirsHon of .whether the Government should be snprpme or whether it should be run by those irresponsible gentlemen who were trying to govern the country wje of the utmost importance. Mr. Keegnn asked whether it was a fact that members of the railway service, whose sivvices were now dispensed witli for defective eyesight, had been engaged in place of those men who had gone out. The Minister for Works asked for notice of the question. Mr. M'Girr wished to know whether the Government would close -the hotels during the continuance of the strike. The Attorney-General replied: If the Interests of public safety demand it, the hotels will bo closed.

Mr. Doolcy aeked what Rction was laken by the Department of Labour and Industry towards preventing an industrial upheaval. Mr. Beeby replied that for a long time past the Department had asked all organisations to give notice of anything likely to lead to a strike, in order Uat ciliatory machinery could' bo brought inito use. In the present case, instead ot doing that, the Government received an ultimatum that the' men intended to cease work in twenty-four s hours. Mr. Stuart Eobertson asked whether it was a fact that the men engaged in tho present conflict approached the Chief Bail-way Commissioner prior ■to the strike, and were told to send in their ultimatum at once. ■ , "I don't know anything about that, Mr. l'ulter replied, "but I think it is untrue." Mr. Wright inquired whether the Kailway Commissioners approached the Act-ing-Premier before making the alteration. Mr. Stuart Robertson desired to know whether the Chief Commissioner had told the men to send in their ultimatum at once. „,.„„., The Acting-Premier: Tho Chief Railway Commissioner has already denied that. The hon. members will please give Mr. Brookfield asked whether the Chief Commissioner, in refusin? to receive a deputation from the N.3.W. Railway Employees' Union, had given as a reason that the men had good jobs, and were well paid, and he did not wish to listen to any evidence. Tho Acting-Premier: I am not aware of that. „ . ~ Mr. Buckley: Is it a fact that the Chief Commissioner said he would not be influenced one iota by any decision of the Government with regard to the card system? Mr. Oakes asked if it was .not a fact that Mr. Buckley had declared that thw waa not a strike over the card system, but a strike against the National Government.

The Speaker: Order. The Acting-Premier: The statement contains as much truth as the one that there is friction between the Chief Commissioner and myself. (Ministerial Replying to Mr. M'Girr, the ActingPremier said: The Government is right behind the Railway Commissioners in this strike.

Mr Brookfield asked whether it was a feet that the Minister of Railways had refused to receive a certain deputation, and whether that meant that the Minister was subordinate to the Railway Commissioners. The Minister of, Works and Railways: I did not refuse to receive any deputation. (Ministerial cheers.)

Police and Borrowed Rifles. Mr. Mutch asked the Acting-Premier if it was a fact that the Police Department had secured from the military authorities 200 magazine nfles. . If so, for what purpose were they borrowed, and had the borrowing any connection with the present trouble? The Acting-Premier: I have not heard of anything of the sort, and T do not think'it at all likely that anything like that has occurred. If you will five notice T will have inquiries made. \nu will probably find that my answer will then be tho same as that which I (rave to the Leader of the Opposition the other night. ,r. . . Mr. F. M. Burke asked the Minister of Railways if the Chief Commissioner, in the oxerci.se of his prerogative, had dismissed men without notice in order to preclude them from going to the Apppjil Board as nn appeal against punish"T can say 'No' to that," was the Minister's reply.'' , ~ Referring to the fame matter. Mr. Lang asked if the Minister would see that men were given Iho right of appeal if .the mimes of particular nun were supThe Minister said that if the information were mado nvnilsiblc inquiries would be mado. The Riot Act. The Acting-Premier, in mply to Iho Loader of tlu> Opposition, ■'aid he hud no knowledge of the reported fact that on Hie nrpvioiis day, throughout the State, the Riot Act was read in the military camps. Questioned by Mr. Osbornc n<: to whether it was a fact that the Chief Commissioner and heads of the Department had been setting up for 18 montliß a system of sweating, known as the Taylor system, and as sneeding-up, the Minister of Railways (Mr. Ball) replied that the administration of tha Department was entirely under the control of the Commissioners. The Minister, in the circumstances, was not acquainted with all the details. Tho matter had elrc-ady j

been brought under his notice, and he did not think it a fact that they were endeavouring to bring about tho Taylor system in this country. Tho Minister of Hailways asked that notice be given of a question by Mr. Mutch—that, in one of the workshops at Kveleigh, five foremen ("or taskmasters") had been employed to watch over 16 men in connection with the card system. "Is it a fact," asked Colonel Macarthur Onslow, amidst Opposition laughter, "that two members of this House have publicly identified themselves witli the forces of sedition and rebellion which are rampant in the State? If so, is it-the Minister's intention to set tho law in motion so that such members and others may be restrained from such a. course?" The Attorney-General (Mr. Hall): I am not aware of tlie members to whom you refer. A Labour member: It is on your side. The Attorney-General said that if the hon. member would supply him with any particulars he would have inquiries made, and have action taken, if considered necessary. Regulating Food Supplies. Mr. Dooley (deputy leader of the Opposition) asked if tho Government intended to present the exploitation of the peoplo by regulating food supplies; if so, when would a law to that effect be issued ? "Is it a fact," he asked, "that this morning there has been an increase in the price of meat, to the extent, in sonie cases, of 3d. per lb., and an increase of from 25 to 30 per cent, on other commodities?" " Mr. Osborne asked the Acting-Premier if he were aware that that morning there had been an increase of 33 1-3 per. cent, in the price of eggs, and an increase of M per ton in the caso of ipotatoes? Would inquiries be made, in view of the report that the Government iproposed to prevent the exploitation of the people? The Acting Premier replied: "Inquiries are being made in connection with this matter. If it is found necessary the Government will deal with it under the Necessary Commodities Act:" Mr. Buckley, referring to a speech by him at the Amalgamated Railway and Tramway Service. Association's (picnic, denied the correctness of the statement attributed to him that the introduction of the card system was a minor Batter. Later, he asked the Acting-Premier if the main question, as far as the Government •was concerned, was not to encourafie the strike to break down organised unionism ? "The main question," said Mr. Fuller, "is whether irresponsible gentlemen who trv to run this country shall run it. or whether the Government shall run it. (Government applause.)

The Card System. Answering Mr. Loughiin, Mr. Fuller eaid the railway men now on strike had the opportunity of having the card system inquired into by an impartial tribunal; it was offered them, but they refused to accept it. Mr. Ball, in answer to Mr. S. M. Burke, who asked wheiier it was not a fact that a system of keeping a record of each man's work in the Government workshops was in existence before the card system was introduced, said it was not so. The system in. force before the card system was introduced was one in which each man entered his time in a book which was given to tho timekeeper. The card system contained items relating to the time each job took to do, the time it started, and tho time it was finished. Thero was a great difference in the timeeheets and the card system. Under the latter the time which a job took to do was entered up in the books. Mr. Fuller, answering Mr. Estell, who asked whether the men had not offered to submit to inquiry respecting the card .system, said the Government had promised to make the inquiry if the men wonld return to work, but tixeg refused to do so.

Mr. Lazzarini asked whether there waa not a strike in England fourteen months ago amongst the munition workers on account of the card system, and that Mr. Lloyd George, after inquiry, abolished the card system, and 70,000 men went back to work. ; Mr. Ball answered that he wits not aware of such a fact. Tfis recollection was that Mr. Lloyd George met the men in conference, and concluded an arrangement by which they did not strike.. In answer to fmther question from J[n" Brookfield, Mr. BnU «nid he was not aware that tlio card system was abolished in England nnd America, but he knew that in one Government institution in this State, it had been in operation for yenra, and was working smoothly and well. Train and Tram Services. Mr. Cociiran asked the Acting-Premier for an opinion as to he time when Uiis disastrous slriko wus likely to lie brought to a close. Was the Acting-Premier aware that tha utilisation of the whole of the resources oi' any Government in running spasmodic train and tram services, eucli as were now in vogue, was not to its credit, ho asked; and as regarded the train service,'was there not a grat fear on the part of tlio travelling public that some- great disaster might take place ? Mt. Speaker: Order, order. The hon. momber is not entitled to ask a question about any fear or opinion; he can lor facts. Mr. Fuller replied that this might be a convenient time to uiako some reference to the position of affairs. "As far, as tho trams are concerned," ho said, "38 were running at 8 a.m., 52 at 9 a.m., and 100 at 2 p.m. Large numbers of men had offered their services, and arrangements were made for their training. With regard to the trains, a better service, was given to-day than yesterday. There were 50 trains that morning, and 60 would leave in the afternoon and evening, as against 30 on Monday. The Commissioners were inundated with offers of insistence, and the Government also was receiving offers of help from every part of the country."

Mr. J. Storey: Are we to infer from that statement that the Government intends to adhere rigidly to its former statement that nothing will l)e done of a character that may affect a reconciliation between the parties concerned -until the workmen unreservedly report i'or work?

Mr. Puller: We ;igidly adhere to. the statement that Che men must return to work first.

Mt. Boeby, answering Mr. Kearsley, who asked whether the Minister for Labour and Industry had communicated with the Railway Commissioners with referonce to their action in causing the present trouble by the introduction of the card system, said the Commissioners were not on strike,' and had not done anything in contemplation of a lockout of the workmen. The workmen were on strike, and if they had followed the rules of the Department and given a week's notice of their intention to strike, the Department of Labour and Industry would have taken action to try and bring the parties' together in conference, so as to, if possible, avert a strike. The Department had been trying for a long time to put this machinery into operation before every strike, but the men now refused to use it. • Damage to Trams. Mr. G. M'Girr asked whether the Act-ine-Premier would take into consideration the fact that the last, tramway strike in Melbourne resulted in ,fc>SO,ooo worth of damage being done to the trams by incompetent people, and it so would he remember that the trains in Sydney were not the property of a company, as were those of Melbourne, but of tho people and the taxpayers. Having this in view, would lie sec the- danger ot incompetent volunteers being allowed to handle the people's property? It was worth millions of money, and would the Acting-Premier seriously consider tho safety of Hint property? Mr. Fuller said ho recognised that the railways and tramways belonged to tho people! that, the Government was elected by the people, mid was in the position of trustee I'or tho lime being of thoir property, and responsible for the running of these conveniences. For that reason the Government had taken action, so that the railways should be run by the Government, and not by the trades unions. (Government cheers.) Mr. Ball, in replv to Mr. I l '. M. Burke, said he was not aware that men who had been dismissed for misdemeanours were being recommended for re-employ-ment. If Mr. Burke would give particulars he would have inquiries made. Mr. Fuller, in answer to Mr. Mutch, said the Government was mindful that men belonging to trades unions were now fighting for the Empire on the othrr side of tho world. For that reason Ministers wore astounded at the action that ■was being taken by the trades nniona

connection with tlio railway eervico at tho present time. "The question at the present timo," said Mr. Fuller, in answer to Mr. Keegan, "is that of tho supremacy of the Government ami people of New South Wales. It must bo apparent that unless wo are united every eil'ort that is made to carry the war to a successful conclusion, and to utilise our great public utilities, will fail. If men are not prepared to subordinate their own personal ambitions to the general good, they'are prepared to help the Germans to win the war."

Tho Acting-Premier refused to answer an} , more questions without notice. drillinglFpolice LABOUR LEADER'S ALLEGATION. In the Legislative Assembly the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. John Storey) declared that he was informed that the constabulary of the State were jiow being drilled by the military authorities, and perfected in the. uso of firenrms. He put it to the Acting-Premier (Mr. Fuller) whether it was a proper and fair thing at this juncture for tTie Government to function such a proceeding. It was the first, evidence of civil ivar. Mr. Puller: It is not true. Mr. Storey said that lie would accept the disclaimer, but his information was from .1 reliable source. Mr. Beeby, in tho country, during the last two years, referring to the industrial unrest, had declared that the first tiling ho would be responsible for would be to put in gaol tho men responsible for strikes, but if Mr. FuTler had been left alone the pre.viou3 day tho difficulty would have been settled. They know what would happen now if Mr. Beeby had his way. Mr. Fuller: As far as the Minister for Labour and Industry is concerned, the statements of the Leader of the Opposition are quite unfounded. With reeard to Mr. Storey's references to the drilling of the police. I wish to say that the. members of the Fore.e are receiving at present no more special training thnn is usually the case. It is the duty of the Government to see that we have a Police Force in the country—not to tyrannise over people, not to be used as soldiers—but to be efficient in the preservation of the peace, law, and order, nnd tlict "all that is being done at the moment.

NO BROKEN COMPACT COMMISSIONER'S STATEMENT. In refutation of statements mado t>? leading unioniets the Chief Commissioner for Railways (Mr. leaser) issued a statement in which ho said: "It has been a=serted that a compact was arranged between the unions concerned in the particular matter now under consideration and the Government, that there should be no alteration of working conditions during the periStl oT the war, and that a. similar compact was entered into }jj the union with the. Railways Commissioners. No such agreement has been entered, into, and even 'assuming the truth of tho facts as expressed by the union representatives, there would have been no breach" oT agreement by the introduction of the card system to take l*io placo of time-'slips, or time-books, as such modification of practice is merely an alteration of the time-keeping system, and in no sense an alteration of working conditions.' That th» men, though ignorant as to the effect and scope of the card system, do not desire nny information, is clear from the fact that the Commissioners twice asked tho representatives of the unions concerned to accept a full and complete explanation from two officers well known to the unions, and respected by them, Theso oilers were, however, not accepted,

THE HAND OF THE I.W.W. MALIGN INFLUENCE AT WORK. "In some sectional strikes that occurred in English and American munition factories," said an official, "the trouble was traced , to I.W.W. or pro-German influences. Are the same influences at work here? In previous troubles in this State alien names have occurred among those who were associated with tho particular trouble that existed at the moment. Is that tho case in the present dispute? The mon. large numbers of them said 'Wo don't want to go out.' They went out unwillingly, and it. was not tho unions that, sent them out in some cases. Some other malign influences were at work. Not only are -there agitators against the Government, the Commissioners, and the public, but they are also against t.he great, body of the men themselves. The proWem,' in every strike, in the tninority. The small loud-mouthed gang adopts coercive methods, and forces the majority to bend to its will. Well, we are not quite in the dark as to who these people might be. Rome of_ the names, nationallv considered, are decided-ly-interesting. Anyhow, it is to be hoped that the grent body of the men will realise their position, and will listen to right and reason. From our information a' great many of the--men at tlie shops wero against going on strike. They freely exnressed the hope that thero would be no strike. Thev are sHW In fact, a number expressed the opinion that if a secret ballot had been tn>»n the men would never have" come out." "The electrical tradesmen," said a, member of that union, "a™ not responsible for the ultimatum Which has caused all the trouble. For it we hove to 'thank the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. 'L'lißt body is controlled by the I.W.W. element, and we have to bear the consequences of their irresponsible actions. The whole trouble n't Randwick was caused by the action of fhreo men who voluntarily began speeding up. We all 'admit that there have been slackers in those shops—the men who want a twomotor a day rate when four is easily maintainable. I might add that tho mechanics are the men who have further stirred up trouble. They have to keen pace with tlio fitters, and if the latter speed up then the others have to follow suit At -tho moment we are forced into an attitude of hostility to the Commissioners, and as things are going we are likely to go the whole hog with a vengeance. The pity is that it is so little to our taste as individuals."WORKLESS - ARMY NEARLY TO DATE The army of workless, due either directly or indirectly to the strike, now (August 9) numbers nearly 50,000. Figures available are as follow: — Railway employees 17,000 Newcastle miners and others 13,000 Southern miners 5,000 Hoitland miners and others 7,1)0u Lithgow miners and others 2.UCO City and suburban, workers 3,000 Total • 47,000 The following official tablo shows tho numbers of wages men in the Railway and tramway services at work and on Striko: - Still On working, strike. Tramway Traffic 350 3283 Electrical Stall 7-18 1716 Signalling Maintenance ... 314 271 Permanent Way (Rlys.)... 4075 472 Stores Branch Gl 127 Perm Way (Tramways) ... 301 635 Loco, men 1879 9505 Traffic Branch (Rlys.) 3088 1336 Totals 10,819 17,348 Since the above table was prepared many strikers havo returned to work. A report was received at the Liverpool locomotive depot from Eveleigh this aftornoon urging "each man for himself." Drivers firemen, guards, and other immediately signed on for duty, and brought the engines to Sydney. lour set 3 of drivers, firemen, and guards resumed work, and the engines which had been idle since Saturday were placed under steam, and driven to the Central Station.