PRIME MINISTER’S STAND

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1931, Page 5

PRIME MINISTER’S STAND

THE PUBLIC WEAL. (Contributed).. In the House of Representatives last week Mr H..E. Holland, the Leader of the Labour Party, launched out upon a tirade of abuse against the Government in. connection ; with me Westport coal dispute; which in mis? representation and vituperation surely must be numbcfed among the most outrageous of his efforts in this direction. . The Government for lack of policy, lie declared, had locked out fity harbour employees at-Westport witmnit the least . reason for such a proceeding. “If statesmanlike action had bejen taken,” lie went on to say as he ivarmed to his subject, “the dispute would have been localised; but instead of doing this the Government, like spoiled children, laid idle all the miners in the Buller area.” The Government, he insisted, had deliberately locked them out and tens of thousands of pounds were being lost through coal riot being handled at a time when local industries should be built up. "It Is,” he said, reiterating bis wild contentions concerning the Government’s insistence upon law and order, “the most uneconomic, the stupidest and the most spiteful policy one could imagine.” ‘ There is a sneer about Mr Holland's voice and manner which cannot be reproduced in print; but on this neons* ion it was easy to see that- the Lender of the Labour Party was less eoneern-' ed for the welfare of the miners than he was anxious to malign the Government. -

Prime Minister Explains Position. Immediately Mr Holland resumed his seat the Prime Minister rose to give the House an outline of the position of affairs at Westport. There were, he said, two mines being worked under the “tribute” system in the district, and owing to some objection being taken by, the miners to this system the watersiders refused to handle the coal from these mines when it was sent down to the port for shipment. A representative of the watersiders waited upon the stationmaster at Westport and informed him that the watersiders would not work coal which was handled by “unfriendly” miners, by miners that was. who went about , their job with a desire to do the best for their, employers and for themselves, “Did the Leader of the Labour Party think that a Government with any self respect was going to- accept a situation such as that?” Mr Forbes asked with scorn. “When the watersiders ' gave an ultimatum to the Government, declaring that they would determine what was going to be handled, it was time the Government took a hand. The answer of the Government was that if the watersiders did not handle nil the coal they would not handle ~ - i n. .OUI 3UBU. J 1 <3i 1 J any.”

“Challenge to Constitutional Government, “No discrimination is going to be made in the railway yards against the oustomers of the Railway Department,” Mr Forbes emphasised. “If the honourable gentleman thinks the Department is going to be used in that way he never made a. greater mistake in his life. It is a challenge to constitutional Government, and I am prepared to defend that to the very Inst ditch. The watersiders are not going to discriminate in the handling of coal, and it is just as well that they should realise this fact. We have given the men every opportunity to consider the position, and calls for labour are made every morning, but the men are not accepting work. The business of the country cannot he held up in that way.”

Mr Holland: “The Government should have negotiated, for a settlement.”

“That is unthinkable”, retorted Mr Forbes. “There are no wages involved and there is no dispute a strike. This is regarded as a challenge to the Government by the miners. The coal is going to be loaded according to the way in which it is sent down to the railway yards.”

The Prime Minister was warmly applauded from the United and Reform benches on resuming his seat.