WAS IT SEDITIOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1920, Page 1

WAS IT SEDITIOUS.

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE,

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 1

Statements made at a Labour meeting in Wellington were the subject of a question to Mr Massey to-day. Mr Newman (Manawatu), drew the attention of Mr Massey to tho following report:—“One speaker said that the work ers of New Zealand had to organise as tho workers of Russia and Italy were organised. The industrialists must take chaige of the industries. Another prominent figure in Labour circles said ho looked forward to the time when there would he an alliance of labour that would directly represent the workers of New Zealand in an industrial parliament, making laws to govern the industrial life of the country. He hoped that within two years an industrial Parliament would he established in place of the present political Parliament.”

• The Prime Minister said he would bo very glad to call the attention of the Crown Law Officers to the paragraph. Two of the sentences seemed to him to be seditious.

Mr Holland (Buller). —There is no crime in that if they do it constitutionally. » Mr Massey,—l say it is seditious.

Mr Holland.—Of course it is not. I am prepared to advocate it on the public platform to-morrow, and I challenge you to take action. Mr Massey.—lf the Hon. gentleman will restrain himself, I will express my opinion. I am not a lawyer, but I believe that is seditious, and that men responsible for it should be punished. Mr ffolland.—You try it on. Mr Massey.—This Bolshevism that is being preached in this country from day to day is worse than folly, find it can only ond in disaster. There is no doubt about that. It must be taken in hand and stopped. There are people in this country talking about an industrial Parliament apparently on lines followed in Russia. Let me tell the lion gentleman that if he is in sympathy with that, and I am afraid lie is, that this country is British and that the Parliament of this country is going to be representative of the whole of the people of this country. People who are preaching this doctrine are enemies of the country. This must be put down, and must be put down before it goes fur,, tlier.