PARLIAMENT

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 November 1913, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

When the House met at 2.U0, Sir Joseph Ward suggested that in reference to the strike, if each side would do no more than justice, it ought to submit the dispute to the unconditional arbitrationment of a tribunal, and he | suggested Sir Joshua Williams as arbitrator. Mr Massey said he had made the suggestion offered by Sir Joseph Ward to both parties early in the trouble, but was refused. Sir Joseph Ward d.rew attention to an item appearing in the Lyttelton Times which attributed a statement to David Jones, Reform Organiser, to the v effect that he stated that since coming into office the present Government has discovered things about Sir Joseph Ward which they would not care to repeat. Sir Joseph Ward asked the Prime Minister, as head of the Government, if he knew whether the substance of the statement was correct. Mr Massey replied that he could not. imagine Mr Jones saying anything "of the kind. He find wired to him on the matter, and would communicate with Sir Joseph Ward immediately he received a reply. Sir Joseph Ward: Do you know i of anything to warrant such a statement? .Mr Massey: I do not. MR PAYNE "NAMED." [per press association.] Wellington, This Day.

After the Telegraph Office closed, the Hon. Mr Fisher spoke on the strike question. He declared that the Federation of Labour had intimidated the men from working. The Labour members interjected throughout the speech. The Speaker warned Mr Payne for disorderly conduct, threatening to suspend him for the sitting. Mr Payne continued interjecting in the way of correcting statements. He stated that Mr Webb had saved the country from 200 strikes.

The Government members attacked the Federation of Labour as being responsible for the strike, and Mr I'ayne again came in, saying that if the Federation machinery had been in operation when the trouble occurred, the strike could never have happened.

Mr Campbell said the Federation Executive were "out to fire the hay again," and 'Mr Payne interjected, when The Speaker interjected by stating that he was going' to suspend Mr Payne for the balance of the sitting. "Now he would name John Payne for disorderly conduct, disobeying the rulings of the Chair, and h£ would ask the Leader of the House to deal with him." The Hon. Mr Massey then moved his suspension for the remainder of the session, and Mr Payne left the chamber. Mr Witty, interposing, pleaded for leniency, and eventually Mr Massey moved to withdraw the motion. Mr Payne reappeared, and apologised, and the incident closed with the withdrawal of the motion. An Imprest Supply Bill, which provides for £080,000, was then passed, and the House rose at 4.1b a.m.