WAR REGULATIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 23, 22 October 1920, Page 7

WAR REGULATIONS

WATERSIDE WORKERS' COMPLAINT

"CLASS LEGISLATION" TALKED

, ABOUT

PRIME MINISTER INTERVIEWED

That the War Regulations re-enacted this session were a piece of class legislation directed specially against the waterside workers was the allegation made by representatives of the Waterside Workers' Federation who waited on the Prime Minister yesterday afternoon. Tho. disputation consistecl_ of Mr. T. Brindle, Mr. J. G. Bruco (secretary of the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union), and Mr. J, Roberts (secretary of tho Waterside Workers' Federation).

Mr. Brindle 6aid that the War Regulatious were ouly a causo of suspicion and discontent among Hie workers on the waterside, because they seemed to be so biased.

Mr. Bruce said that the War Regulations were no doubt necessary during tne war, but their retention to-day appeared to be directed against only 0110 section of the publio—namely, tho waterside workers. He could not see why the peopm he represented should come under regulations that were brought down to deal with the country's enemies. Mr. Massey might be able to inform the deputation of the reason for this. The watersiders considered that • the regulations wero purely and simply class legislation. Mr. .Mass*i': What particular regula--tions are you referring to?

Mr. Bruce: "Those jertainine to wharves and shipping/' It had been reported by cablegrams published in the Press, continued lur. Bruce, that British shipowners . had spt ships. to Bremen to be docked and repaired, vet the New Zealand Government proposed to proteot these people by keeping off. the wharves not only euemy aliens, but any persons who had not been born in Now Zealand, including persons who had been born in countries allied to us in the late war. Why was it necessary that such people should be registered just because they were waterside workers? It had been stated that the police had informed the Government that the registration - of aliens had been beneficial during lie war. He would like to know what report the polico had jput ,in about, the foreigners on the Wellington wharves. By foreigners he meant people born outside the British Empire. The regulations kept an force were applying even to returned soldiers, some of whom were "foreigners." Tho deputation wished tho regulations to be withdrawn, because the watersiders felt that they were being described more or less as enemies of the country. They were feeling soro about the matter.

Mr. Roberts said that there were in New Zealand to-day men of foreign birth wljo had'teen employed on the waterfront of this country almost from tho time at which there had first been a waterfront. They had come to him ornl said that it. was very unfair that they , should be compelled to go to a representative of the police and get from him to work' on tho waterfront for their living. A number of the men in question had sent, sous, or even graiwi«onb. to tho war, and if they were to have from tho Government such treatment as they had been getting they might think that they hud made a mistako in sending their relatives. Was th# continuance of the regulations necessary to-day? llad anything happened l to shipping that justified tho continuance ?i L?' regulations? He was of opinion tliat the reports the Government had u>ceivetl must have been biased reports. «■ l ' 0 Government considered tho ettect the regulations were likely to have on thei watersiders? No man liked to tnink that he was under a cloud of suspicion and tho watersiders had .been singled out for special treatment. It had been decided at the Peace Conference that alien workers were to have consideration. He had a communication tromtho International Transport Workers Federation asking him what was the altitude taken up in New Zealand upon this matter. He did not wish to liave to reply that ajien workers in New Zeadifferently from .pntish workers. Ihero had been less industrial trouble on the Nuw Zealand war th™ and " 6incD the WintS °u a ? y othei ' wat "'- tront in the w,orld, and yet in other places the. war restrictions had been removed

Prime Minister's Reply, Jt fl w a S H l reply j n s;' said it was afme l atHm "had been did nf fe® V ttt «'siders specially. They Uicl not, for instance, affect one of the thet\*rT ? °' f i the and tney Wj ie waterside workers. The GovSTbv l? to 1)0 , gu H ed to a certain extent by the reports of its officers. It been guided in this case by official co . u H, not tell the deputare P° rt «. though ho n0 l s ? y f , th i lt 1<: "'as particularly serious, it had, hiowever, been pointed out tn.it tlio waterside workers were in a jpy responsible position, working as %L, amongst shipping carrying valuable cargoes or perhaps hundreds of passengers. It tended to create a feel-ing-°f security to know that the officers 0; th ® la , w knew the men who were employed about the ships. There was no need to interfere with British citizens such as the members of the deputation. Jliey were known, and in all probability could be trusted. But it was different with who came to the country and were not known. The officers to whom he had referred felt that when'such men came along they should t\. l t0 sive an ac °ount of themselves. they wero able to answer inquiries satisfactorily—and in ninety-nine case? out of a they were no doubt able to do so—they got their permits. Ho did not think the Government had gene too far in connection with the regulations copiplained of. The time would no doubt come when thjese things would no longer be necessary, and the sooner that time came the better pleased the Government would be. The regulations would then bo made inoperative. He hoped that he had made tlb» deputation understand tli&t there was no reflection intended to be cast upon the watersiders. Tha Government was simply doing' its to ensure that matters should go smoothly on the wharves, and that nothing should happen to make the country Irepent having .let foreigners come in. . .

. Mr.. Roberts observed that the Prime Minister had dealt entirely with foreigners, coming into tho country; but he wished to know about the position of men of foreign birth who had been in New Zealand for 20 or 30 years. Somo of them were the most respectable of 'Jfew Zealand citizens. He thought the Government should see that it was not made necessary for them to go before the police to get a permit. It was tliie men who had worked on the wharves for years that the deputation was concerned about. It recognised that the Government had special rights in regard to men coming into tho country to-day. Mr. Massey said that the men for whom Mr. Roberts was speaking would iiavei no difficulty whatever, lie was sure thai, the police would not ask them to suffer nnv /hardship or indignity. Sol- ■ diers had been mentioned. If a man had gone as a soldier, there.was th;i proof of loyalty. Ho was certain _ that the soldiers were not going to be interfered with. . Mr. Roberts said that if a man struck ]« would be liable under the War Regulations to twelve months' imprisonment, whereas under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act he would be liable to a fine of ilO. • Miv Massey: A good soldier will not go on strike. , I Mv Massey added tliot he thought the deputation would find ill time that the regulations were working smoothly anil inflicting no hardship or inconvenience. Mr. Bruce complained that the \V\ ar Regulations put in the hands of tbg Government the power to (leal more drastically with the watersiders than with anv' other section of tlm community If the Government wished to safeguard the wharves, it should give the people civil legislation and not war regulations. \ . Mr. Massey said that as a matter <1 fact the regulations were administered l>y the civil courts, and were called War Regulations to-day merely 'because it had become a habit to call tlwm bv that name. He pointed out, in cor.e.lunlon, that when Mr. Fraser' (ono of the