GUNS ON WHARVES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16486, 27 February 1914, Page 7

GUNS ON WHARVES.

SEQUEL TO THE STRIKE,

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE OF COMMONS.

THE ADMIRALTY’S POLICY,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, February 25.

In the House Mr Arthur Henderson, a Labour member, asked whether it was true that during the strike at Wellington men from the warships Psycho and Pyramus were paraded with fixed bayonets, guns were trained on the wharves, and searchlights used to aid the strike-breakers.

Mr Winston Churchill replied that the Psyche and Pyramus were present at one period of the dispute. He did not have exact information!, but the measures were adopted only at the express request of the responsible Government of the dominion. The Admiralty’s position was explained in a telegram sent to tho senior naval officer in Now Zealand on October 28 as follows :

“The Admiralty’s policy is to avoid all interference in labour disputes, especially in the dominions, and to endeavour to avoid being m a position where it is likely to be called upon. Don’t go unless you are personally satisfied that your presence is necessary to avoid bloodshed. The Admiralty find great difficulty in believing that such conditions exist.”

Mr Joynson-Hicks asked if a commander should sail away if ho thought he would be called on to assist.

Mr Churchill stated that it had long been the Admiralty’s policy to disentangle the Navy as far as possible from civil disputes. Mr Joynson-Hicks: If the colony requested the presence of a battleship, and the officer thought that possibly he would be asked to assist, should ho sail? Mr Churchill: These matters call for tact and discretion.