THE RIGHT TO STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1263, 25 June 1914, Page 4

THE RIGHT TO STRIKE.

DcHirg with the question of the strike at a public meeting at Kohukohu last week, the Hon. Mr Fisher said there was a line of demarcation between the Government and the Opposition. The Government said it a man chose to exercise the right to strike he should have it, also if a man liked to exercise his right not to work he might do so without being interfered with. But, they said, and here was the line of demarcation, if a man said he was going to work no man had a right to say he should not. Mr Fisher referred to a passage in Sir Joseph Ward’s Kohukohu speech, iu which the liberal leader said: “One Minister had gained his seat by the aid of one of the most prominent strike leaders, one who had suffered gaol for the part he had taken. He had had him upon his platform, and had referred to him as his friend.’’ “This,” said the Minister, “evidently has reference to me. He says I had him on my platform, and that I called him my triend, I reluse to believe that statement was made by Sir Joseph Ward.” It was so outrageously contrary to fact. He would give Sir Joseph Ward an early opportunity to say whether he made that statement or not.