BRITISH PARTURIENT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1927, Page 2

BRITISH PARTURIENT

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] TRADES UNION BILL. LONDON. .May 11. The opening o! the committee stage nf the Trades Union Bill resulted in a series of aeri men ions discussions until the Government applied lor a closure to the debate. 1 lie- first, Socialist movement then took form of Mr Slesser moving the insertion ill the words “For the purpose of removing doubts,” before the initial words of the Act reading “ft is hereby declared.” Mr Slesser argued that the opening declaration of the Act actually reversed the present law as there was no statute which ever made it an ofiem-e human to refuse employment.

Sir I). Hogg replying, pointed out it would not be legal tor a man to refuse employment if the Bill were passed. A strike as defined in the Bill was not the cessation of work by an individual but the cessation by a body ot persons acting in combination Incidentally Sir 1). Hogg described Slesser’s sneech as largely irrelevant, causing uproar and labour accusations that Hogg was not telling the truth. When the debate was resumed Bii J. Simon expressed the opinion that the amendment was quite harmless. The strike of last year was not addressed solely to the promotion of a trade dispute and tlicre was no reason why it should not be made plain why this legislation was enacted. After a four hours debate Sir TL Hogg moved the closure and amid lomfcrios of “Gag,” the closure was carried by 294 to 153, and the amendment rejected by 602 to 102. some Labourites singing “John Brown s Body” and a land song during the division.

AVl.cn the debate was adjourned for private business, the first word of the Bill was still unreached.