FIGHT TO A FINISH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 142, 14 June 1912, Page 5

FIGHT TO A FINISH.

IN THE DOCKERS' STRIKE. . GOVEBHMENT WELL NOT INTERVENE. CESSITKE MOTION DEFEATED. (By CaWe.—Press Association.-^Copyright.) LONDON, June 13. The Government has decided to take Ino action in regard to the Thames strike, i and the dispute must therefore be fought out by the parties. The Strike Committee, in a manifesto, declares fcba-t it was prepared to end the dispute on honourable terms, but the employers forced the present situation with its unnaniable hardships. Tie Shipping Federation declares that the prospects ol a national strike are remote. , It is asserted that the Southampton strike is of a local character, and that Bristol is the -only port where the national strike order has 'taken effect. S£AFAS£BS' ACTION. The Manchester branch of the Seamen and Firemen's Union has decided to strike. 1 The British Seafarers' Union has joined 4000 strikers at Soathamptan. In the House of Commons last night Mr. Austen Chamberlain moved a resolution declaring that the action of Mx. McKenna (Home Secretary) in connection with the strike was unconstitutional, and that the Government's constant interferences were fomenting unrest. THE RIGHT TO WCEH. Mt. Chamberlain acknowledged that dissatisfied workmen were entitled to strike, but satisfied workmen, he said, had an equal right to work. The Government was prepared to call out the troops at Belfast when the right of free speech was assailed, and it was equally bound to protect the right to work. Mr. McKenna. in replying, said that. more labour had been protected "daring the present strike without soldiery than previously. He denied that men wishing to work had been prevented from doing so. There were now, he said, 8000 men working at the docks, and there was no room for more while the lightermen blocked the way. PBOYOKING TROUBLE. In reference to the Tefnsal to send police to Pnrfleet. he said that the metropolitan police could barely cope with London's requirements; hence it was suggested to obtain police from Birmingham, and this was done. Mr. McKenna. adhered to the assertion that Messrs. Hoitlders' action in filling the steamer Lady Jocelyn with free la/boor was provocative of trouble. Their protection <wonld have necessitated the withdrawal of police, thus sacrificing the public interest. The motion was defeated by 337 votes to 260. The Nationalists and Labour members voted with the Government. The O'Brienite3 abstained from voting, and a score of Liberals were absent.