BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1927, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

IN Til E COMMONS. (Australian Press Association & Sun.) (Deceived this (lav at 0.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 2. [n the Commons, Sir A. Chamberlain, in reply to questions, said discussions were continuing among Ihe in reference to events at Nanking, and Chen’s .statement on the subject as soon ns lie could. Mr Headlam told a. questioner that His Majesty’s ships at Kangtsze had been authorised to return firing against them.

Sir A. Chamberlain said lie had communicated with the .Japanese and United States Governments and did not think further co-operation was obtainable by means of a conference, aim. ing at the formulation of a common policy in the Pacific and Far East.

Sir A. Chamberlain issued a statement on the Italo-Albaniaa. Treaty at Tirana. Ho said it was a Treaty of non-aggression, and arbitration; and guaranteed Albania’s independence, ft had been registered with the League. Britain had no direct interest in the question and had done her best to allay suspicion and facilitate Italo-Jugo Slav conversations with a. view to settling outstanding difficulties arising from the Treaty. He did not advise recourse to League intervention before the parties met and discussed the difficulties. The Powers had decided it was at present not necessary to conduct inquiries into alleged military preparations in Jugo-Slavia. Britain had no other interest than the preservation of peace and had no intention of taking sides.

TRADE UNION BILL. THE OPENING DEBATE. (Australian Press Association & Sun.) (Received this day at 10.15 a .in.) LONDON, .May 2. Mr Hogg before a full House, with crowded Peers’ and Strangers’ Galleries, moved the second reading of the Trade Union Bill. He said the main principles were: Firstly, the general strike was illegal, and nobody should be penalised for a refusal to participate; secondly, intimidations to make men leave work were illegal ; thirdly, nobody should he compelled to subscribe to the funds of any political party, unless he desired ; fourthly, civil servants must give full allegiance to the State.

Mr Hogg asked: “Is anyone prepared to assert that any of these propositions are wrong? ” Jack Jones: “Yes,” amid Labour interruptions. Mr Jones remained standing.

The Speaker interjected: “I may ns well tell you tliat unless you are willing to listen to tbe debate you will not be present to participate in it.”

Jack Jones; “I do not care, you can chuck me out if you like.”

Amid frequent interruptions Mr Hogg went on to deni with the legality of last year’s general strike, and Justice Astbury’s decision.

Mr Thomas: “Is it not a fact that Justice Astbury never bad the question of a general strike before him?” Mr Hogg: “I think you are mistaken.” Mr Thorne: “ Stick to the truth, you are telling lies all through.” The Speaker: “ If you cannot control yourself you must not remain in the House.” Mr Thorne: “ Then let him keen to the truth.”

Mr Hogg contended that a large section of Labourites still regarded the general strike as a legal weapon and intended to use it in the future, like the Edison Bell record. Tt was the Government duty to clear up beyond a possibility of doubt, that the general strike was illegal.

Sympathetic strikes remained legal if directed against the employers, not against the State and community. The only reason why general lock-outs were not included in the clause dealing with general strikes, was that the former was never likely to happen, and if it did, the Government had power, under the Emergency Acts to take over tlio works. Though a general strike was hard to define he knew one when he saw it.

Labour interruptions increased and the Speaker threatened several members with expulsion.

Mr Hogg said it was asserted a political levy clause was unnecessary, because exemption from payments was available and on. the contrary it was objected tlint the clause would cripple Unions. Both propositions could not he true.

Mr Jones: “What a brain.” Mr Hogg’s next remark was drowned bv Labour veils of, “Withdraw!”

The Speaker again intervened. Mr Jones: “Wait till lie has done lying about the Bill.” The Speaker: “I have warned you several times. 1 must call on you to w i tlid raw i named i atel y. ”

Mr Jones—“l am going now. Sir. but I will he here when Mr Hogg and his crowd have gone with him.” He left the House shouting “It’s a hog's Bill.” When Mr Hogg again arose to continue, he was received with Labour shouts “Divide.”

Mr Hogg continued stating the clause dealing with civil servants was necessitated by the history of last May, when State officials were actively engaged in commending a rebellion against the State. Labour cries of “Rubbish. ’

Mr Hogg: “This is intolerable. The civil service must be free from party political ties.” The sixth clause forbnde "public authorities insisting that employees must belong to particular unions, to the revolutionary section of the community. The Bill was necessarily abhorrent, but the Opposition reported larger and" more model ate section of the labour. It was disappointing to find this section was unwilling to join with the Government in declaring the unlawfulness of the general strike. If the moderate labourites had the moral courage to cooperate to remedy the deficiencies of the Bill, their help would be welcomed. Government believed the Bill was just and necessary. It vindicated t,hc authority of Parliament, freedom of State and protected the working man.

Mr Clynes in moving its. rejection, said the Bill might be excusable if it were panic legislation, but on the contrary it was a 'deliberate act of class hostility. The intimation of a willingness to include lockouts, was a surrender to rather shame the faces of criticism of some of Government"* supporters. It would be the duty of the Opposition ivhen it became the

government to repeal the measure because he believed it to he a malignant endeavour on the part of the Governmen to hack up organised capital in struggles with organised labour. The Bill was not due to last year’s general strike.