STRAIGHT TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 11

STRAIGHT TALK.

T_ABOTJK ASD

CLASH EN" CAEEOT-T ROOM.

(By Telegraph-—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

There was some plain, and occasionally heated, talk yesterday afternoon, between a deputation from the recent Labour Conference in Wellington and the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey), in his capacity as Minister for Labour.

In introducing the deputation, Mr. E. Tregear said it represented the trades unions of the Dominion.

Mr. R. Semple, the first speaker, said the employing class had heen successful in smashing the organisation at Waihi, with the -ssistance of the Government.

Mr. Massey: I may as well contradict that statement at once. The employing class had nothing to do with it. The Government was called upon to enforce law and order, and the Government did it.

Mr. Semple: The employing class was responsible for smashing the strike.

Mr. Massey: I give the statement an absolute contradiction. If we were called upon by the other side to do the same thing we should do it.

Mr. Semiple: We can bring a volume of evidence to prove that your Government did nothing of the kind. A small "roup oi men not working there at- the time visited Huntly for the purpose of forminjr this small organisation against the wish of the men working in the mines. Your Government chartered a train on a Sunday to Huntly, with SO police, and there was no strike and no violence.

Mr. Massey: Constables were sent at the request of the citizens of Huntly, who appealed to us for protection. Mr. Semple: Will you produce proof of that information?

Mr. Massey: I can produce it if necessary. The Huntly citizens appealed to us for protection. Alter some further exchanges, Mr. Massev asked what the deputation really wanted.

Mr. Semple: We want the law amended" in such fashion that the majority shall have the right to control the business of industrial organisation. That was pointed out to you before Parliament prorogued, and you agreed to amend the law. Since then you have shelved the proposal. Mr Massev: I said that Parliament would have an opportunity oi considerin- the matter. Parliament will have an" opportunity of considering the whole matter next session. Mr temple: When you went before the people during last election you used the expression "A square deal." Mr. Massey: I expect a square deal

from square men. Mr Semple: We have -never had a square deal from you. Men were crucified aud cowed by the policeman* baton. Mr --Massey: I won't have that Proceed with your address without any reference to'Waihi. We are responsible to the people of this country and are -repa-ed to answer for what took place There Ii your friends acted in the same «_y again there you would get exactly the same treatment. That- piain talk-

"Mr Semple: iTou can't put up anything a-ainst mc and my friends, and prove that wo broke the law in Waihl. \ou lire charging mc and my fellows with something we never did. Mr M-._;6-ev: I say that the domgs at Waihi were' a disgrace to civilisation, nnd such as no respectable men and no natriotic men could approve of. ' Mr Semple: There was disgrace, and we are prepared to prove where the diso-racefu! business was committed. We have asked for a commission of inquiry and well prove our case. Tell us whether your Government intends to amend the law so that democracy w-11 Vve <*rual privilege as political units, and that the workers will be able tr. say whether they want arbitration or Mr W. T. Young- contended that the law was not administered impartially at Waihi. One of the Wnihi miners came to him with his two children and *=a'>d he had received notice to quit Wafhi. Mr Mussey: From whom? Mr Tonne: From men belonging to what I call a "scab" union. Mr Massey: You must not use that term in this room. I am not going to have ofTp-nsive terms used here. Tn answer to a request for inquiry into the proceedings at Waihi. Mr Massev said. "We have noting- to hide. We Ifeir P fVie fullest publicity."

Mr Hiekey snoke against a vigorous

rr.TnioT-riion policy, and against the de-

fence pclicv. yf r MUls declared that the resolutions submitted represented siiVtnntially the whole body of organised labour in New Zealand.

ARBITRATION ACT TO BE AMENDED.

Mr Masscv, in reply, said in regard to the Arbitration Act it was the intention of the Government to introduce an amending and consolidating Act next session. He had a number of amendments in view which he was ready to bring down as soon as the House met. He Invited the deputation to give evidence before the Labour Bills Committee. Every opportunity would be given them. Meanwhile he was not going to express an opinion on the point raised. He was o-oing to give members an opportunity of placrag on the Statute Book an Act which would be satisfactory to the great

bulk of the people of the country. As to the Worker?' Compensation for Occidents Act. he would submit the resolutions of the conference to the Labour Bills Committee. He thought there was a defect in the Act, and he wanted to remedy it. In regard to defence, he did not suggest that the Act was perfect, but he wanted to be perfectly clear and per-

fectly plain with them. "The Government of this country intends to stand hy the main principles of the Defence Act. -I do not need to go into reasons. Anyone who looks at what is sroing on in other parts of the world will understand the reasons for placing it on the Statute Book, and I am strongly of opinion that the great majority of the people of this country are in favour of getting the country into a position to defend itself if occasion arises.

As to immigration, an attempt had been marie to prejudice the Government. The Government hnd d-one what it considered necessary to induce a proper class of immigr.ints to come to New Zealand, namely, farm workers, men who would in time -become farmers. If we were Tome t-o avoid depression -we must .increase the number of producers. People all -round were calling out for labouT and more population, and it was the duty of the Government to supply the demand. I bnt the Government was not doing that with the object of reducing wages.

•As to Waihi, he would submit to the Cabinet the proposals for an __q_iry.