COMMONWEALTH ACTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 279, 22 November 1913, Page 8

COMMONWEALTH ACTION.

I MR COOK'S REPLY. TO LABOUR FEDERATION DEMAND. j A FLAT BBFUSAL. j (Re-rived 10.45 a.m.) j MELBOURNE, tins day. ; Mr .Joseph Cook, Federal Premier replying to the .secretary of the Labour Federation's letter urging Federal action in connection with the New Zealand strike, pays: "I note what you »ay as to Ihe. conduct or employers and em- , plovees with i-pspa-t to Arbitration, but ; it dons not appear to mc that I ajn called upon to come to any conclusion or express any opinion upon such ,irratkre at present, nor am I called upon to admit or dispute your claim that file action of your Federation reflects the opinion of the majority of citizens of Australia. "I do, however, sincerely hope your ex- | pressed desire for industrial peace in Australia, may be fulfilled. a.nd may I b« permitted also to express the hope that your Federation will give its best aid towards maintaining such peace in Australia, and, if possible, pre.ve.nl.ing the industrial troubles of another cetuv try spreading to this. ""As t<i the particular object of your resolution. I do not yet gather whether you suggest that the Government place! an embargo on all ships coming from j New Zealand, or only *~*<, a, hive been] loaded by seme iijrMiilSr person or borne.- of per.-ons. Kvcn if tin. («>vrra-i ment noswsaed such power, the Govern- i ment conld not entertain the proposition I that they throw the weight, of their authority upon one side or the other, tie result of which would be to throw into confusion the. ■β-kole commercial intercourse be(arecit.-(thlfi^;o9aitni?*an(i-.the