THE STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 74, 27 November 1913, Page 5

THE STRIKE.

BEGINNING OF THE END.

SUGGESTION OF A TRIBUNAL. _« '[rER Press Association.] In the House of Representatives last night, Sir Joseph Ward asked a question of the Prime Minister relative to the strike. He said he was nob in any way prompted by party feelings, nor had he directly or indirectly attempted to make capital out of a great national calamity. The loss to the country as the outcome of the srike would, he estimated, amount to a quarter of a million weekly. That loss would be borne by the whole community and passed on in the wav of an increased charge to the public who had sent members to Parliament. He was most concerned to secure a settlement and though he might be subjected ro misrepresentation and misunderstanding he felt it his duty, after careful consideration, to suggest some effective means by which" a settlement might be effected. Any such settlement must lie just to boli sides. If each side would go for justice, it ought to submit the dispute to the unconditional arbitrament of a tribunal, and he suggested Sir Joshua Williams as arbitrator. He was a just, 'far-seeing, fearless judge, and ll either side refused to submit its case to.his decision it would be an admission of weakness, or that one side wanted more than justice. If the course suggested by him were carried out, he was convinced that the whole of the unions now out would return to work pending the finding of the tribunal.

The Hon. W. F. Massey, replying, said that he was very glad that Sir Joseph Ward had not acted from any party standpoint. The Government were, fully aware of their responsibility in tiie matter, and also of the great loss being occasioned to the country through the trouble. He asked the House to view the matter in comparison with the condition of affairs two or three weeks ago. At that time nearly every port was closed, and the whole trade of the Dominion held up: Xow practically every port was open and working. In fact, the Auckland strike was virtually ended. He had made the suggestion offered by Sir Joseph Ward to'both parties early in the trouble, but they refused. Arrangements would be..made to prevent a recurrence, of the trouble so far as the waterside workers were concerned in future. Xo settlement of the dispute could be effected without consideration being given to the producers of the country and the new unionists. He predicted that,.bcforr Christmas the industrial trouble would bo ended.

THE NEED FOR PARLIAMENTARY ACTION. When Mr J. Payne began a justification of the Federation of Labor in connection with the industrial deadlock, Mr P. C Webb claimed that the Social Democratic Party bad used every endeavour in the House to find a solution for the strike, but no solution had been found. Instead the gag had been applied by the Government. He contended that the Federation of Labor was a legally registered body, not in conrol of foreigners as alleged by the Prime Minister. In not deciding to come under the Arbitration Act they were within their rights, and the employers were talcing up an improper position in insisting upon the Arbitration Act or nothing. He advocated an amendment oi the Trades Union Act as the only possible solution of the trouble, as the Arbitration xYet couud not be macU' acceptable by means of bayonets and batons.

Mr Veitch argued that it was the duty of Parliament to step in and settle the dispute between two stubborn parties. If instead of sitting shivering for fear votes would be lost, Parliament had intervened in the early stages of the strike the struggle would have been ended long ago. He had no faith in the methods ot the Federation of Labor. It was impossible to improve the conditions of labor by means of a strike, either sectional" or general. Mr Veitcl], continuing, said that on the other side we had a self-consti-tuted committee called the Employers' Association, made up mostly of wholesale men who were not interested in promoting a settlement of the strike, because the longer it continued, the sooner they would get the small shopkeeper in their power and compel him to liny his goods at their price and on their term-,. Therefore, there was need for Parliament to step in and settle the dispute. He advocated a compulsory conference of the parties which would investigate the facts impartially and so help the public to come to a more just opinion of the pircumst-inces leading up to the strike.

EARLY MORNSNC STRJKINC INCIDENT. CREY LYNN "NAMED." WITTY OINTMENT HEALS THE WOUND. Wellington, November '27. After tin" telegraph office closed, Mr Fisher spoke on the strike question. He declared thai the Foderalion of Labor intimidated the men from working. Labor members interjected throughout the speech, the Speaker warning Mr Pavne for disorderly conduct- and threatening his suspension sitting. M.r Puyno coutinued inter-

rupting in the way of correcting statements. He stated thai Mr Welih had saved the country from 2U( strikes. j Government members attacked the Federation of Labor as being responsible for the strike. Mr Payne again came in, saying that if the Federation machinery had been in operation when the trophic occurred, the strike could never have eventuated. Mr Campbell said the Federation Executive were out to fire hay. Again Mr Payne interjected, when the Speaker interposed, stating that he was going to suspend Mr Payne for the balance of the sitting. "Now lie would name. John Payne for disorderly conduct and for disobeying the ruling of the Chair. I ask the Leader of the House to deal with him." Mr Masscy moved his suspension for the remainder of the session, and Mi- Payne left the Chamber. Mr Witty, interposing, pleaded for leniency and eventually Mr Masscy moved to withdraw his motion. Mr Payne re-appeared, and apologised, and the incident closer! with the withdrawal of the motion. The Bill, which provides for £986,000, then passed, ami I lie House, rose a(, J.l."> a.m.