DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 27 November 1913, Page 5

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.

SUGGESTION BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. ALREADY MADEAND REFUSED. WELLINGTON, Last Night in the House of Representatives this, afternoon, Sir Joseph Ward asked 1\ question of the Premier relative to the strike. He stated at the outset that he was not in . auy way prompted, by party feelings, nor had he directly or indirectly attempted to make capital out of the great national calamity. The loss to the country as an outcome of the strike would,"he estimated, araummo quar-

ter of a million weekly. That loss would bo borne by the whole community, passed on in the way of increased chargos. The public, which had sent members to Parliament, was most concerned to secure a settlement, and though he might be subjected to misrepresentation and misunderstanding, he felt it his duty, alter careful consideration, to suggest some effective means by which a settlement migEtT)e effected. Any such settlement must be just to both sides, li each side wanted no more than 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, and fearloss Judge, and if 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, in replying, said he was very glad Sir Joseph Ward had no?"" acted from any party standpoint. The .Government j was I fully aware of their responsibility in the matter, and also of the. great loss that was being occasioned 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, rind the whole trade of the Dominion held up. Now, 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 it was refused. An arrangement would be made to prevent a recurrence of the trouble so far as the ..waterside workers were concerned in future. No settlement of the dispute could be effected without consideration being given to the producers of the country and the new unionists. He predicted that before Christmas the industrial trouble would be ended.