HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1927, Page 2

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON, A lay 17

Closely questioned by Messrs Lloyd George, Thomas and Clynes on the subject of sympathetic strikes, Sir 1). Hogg expressed the opinion that if a strike within a trade or industry was directed at an employer it would not be affected. He added that a strike of railwaynion and transporters in support of a strike of miners coubl only be designed to bring pressure oil the Government to intervene. Such a strike would bo illegal or illegitimate apart from this Rill. Sir 1). Hogg replying to Mr Lloyd George said the railway refused to handle coal during the miners strike and if the effect was to iiillict hardship on the community to such an extent as to coerce the Government with intervening, it would be illegal under the Rill.

Mr Wttllhead interrupted: ‘ Then there could never be a sympathetic strike in aid of the miners.” Sir I), llogg said: “It the elfcct was to bring pressure on the mine owners ii would lie perfectly legal; if it was an nttvmpto to coerce the Government it would tie illegal. MrTlmrtle said a, sympathetic strike had become an essential part of the right to strike. They would never get a great mass of people to carry out a strike unless the conditions of industry they were seeking to support, were deplorable. Sir I), llogg moving the amendment which lie said made it clear exactly what sort of strikes the Rill made illegal received with l.cibour shouts ot "Clear as mud.” Sir I). llogg after the interruption moved an amendment making illegal strikes calculated to (fierce the Government by inflicting hardship on the community. Air Slesser said Labourites deplored all strikes, lockouts and disputes, but the Government amendment put every sympathetic strike of any dimensions in jeopardy because all strikes caused hardship on the community. He appealed to Sir 1). Hogg to stay his reckless revolutionary band. '1 he Government was throwing dust into the industrial machine and bail been coerced into the introduction of a inonstrsity. s;ir -I. Simon aid although the Government honestly tried to improve the language oi the. clause it was still unsatisfactory. H‘- added: •‘When I herd they were searching Arens I wondered whether the miss ing document was the definition of th • i general strike."