WAR LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1920, Page 5

WAR LAWS.

CONTINUANCE OPPOSED.

LABOR'S VEILED THREAT, EMPHATIp VIEWS IN THE HOUSE, j 87 Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives this evening, on a motion to go into committee on the War Regulations Continuance Bill, Mr. McCombs protested that there was no evidence,, to show that the proposed provisions had been properly considered. The Bill "also imposed unnecessary restrictions on personal freedom. Trial by jury could still be dispensed •with in cases of persons charged with offences under this measure. The Premier had failed to give the House and the country any reason why the war regulations should continue.

Mr. Holland objected" strongly to the right of trial by jury being taken from any man. The extraordinary powers conferred by the regulations during the war were abused, and many men, even of British nationality, and their dependents suffered hardships as a result. Mr. Holland declared that the object of the measure was to apply the provisions of war time legislation to industrial disputes. He asked why the employers were not charged with conspiracy under the regulations in refusing to allow coal to be unloaded to relieve the distress of women and children Buffering from lack of coaL Why did not the Government frame, its new legislation to meet new conditions, and give the workers, an opportunity of taking part in regulating the conditions under which they had to work?

"HASTENING TO DISASTER." |

If the measure was enacted, added Mr. Holland, and if it was administered as the regulations were being administered to-day, it would not tend to bring about industrial peace. Therefore, Labor members representing one-third Of the organised labor in New Zealand declared that if the measure was enacted Parliament would) bo hastening the country to disaster.

Mr. Sullivan protested, in the name of the rights and privileges of the people, against a continuance of the restrictive regulations, which were enacted to deal with conditions arising out of the war, which ended nearly two years ago. He referred to the disabilities imposed on many people through the continuance of the .passport system, and declared there was no justification for the regulations. Mr. Hanan, as a member of the National Government, justified the regulations enacted to deal with eorißitions arising from the war, but thought they might be fraught with danger in peace time. He thought a conference between the employers and the" employees o{ the country should be convened to study their difficulties and evolve a solution. '

Mr. Lysnar said he regarded the starts ments made by the member for Buller as a threat that if this measure was enacted further ]a>bor troubles would follow. Many employers were in full sympathy with the legitimate desires of labor, but the latter's extremist leaders Were responsible, through irritating and disloyal agitations, for a great part of the present day unrest.

DRASTIC PROPOSALS. Mr. Savage said the House should object to handing over its functions to the Governor-in-Council. Mr. Wright said it must be admitted that the measure was drastic, but circumstances at times required drastic remedies. In connection with the present industrial in Wellington a mistake had been made, but he contended the workers were wrong In not submitting the ease to the Disputes Committee. Mr. Wright 9aid it was curious to notice that New Zealand was suffering from a s:rics of strikes, which suggested that there was some sinister influence at the back of them. More unrest prevailed now than during the war, and the cost of living was higher. Therefore, something drastic was necessary to put an end to buch a condition of affairs. Mr. Parry protested against a continuation of the war regulations. He pleaded for a national scheme of organisation of employers and employees, which wquld tend to the improvement, of: industrial relations. THE GOAL CRISIS. Mr. Veiteh said that while the regulations were necessary during the war, it was wrong in principle to continue such stringent laws to-day, which were causing people to lose confidence in constitutional government. Mr. Veiteh asked the Premier to say how it. was that the country was faced to-day with such a coal crisis. Why had nothing heen done to carry out the recommendations of the Coal Commission? New Zealand could not now depend on Australia, for coal, and did not at present produce enough herself.

As Mr. Veiteh was concluding, the Premier said that if the House desired it he would he willing to drop the Bill. Mr. Veiteh, however, said ho was not concerned whether the Premier did that or not. His duty v'as to express what he thought on this subject. Messrs Bartram and Fraser carried the debate on till 10.35 p.m., when Sir William Herries moved the adjournment and the House rose.