DISCUSSION IN HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 112, 13 May 1926, Page 7

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE.

"BLACKMAILING COMMUNITY." SIR JOHN SIMON'S SPEECH. MINERS AND THE LOCKOUT. (By Cable.—Press Association.—<Copyrlg_t.) LONDON, May 12. Matters concerning the strike occupied the attention of the House of Commons yesterday. On a motion for the adjournment of the House, Sir John Simon, Liberal member for the West Riding of Yorkshire, reiterated his point that a general strike, whatever the provocation and the circumstances, could not properly be understood to be a trade dispute. "The moment a general strike is declared," he said, "it starts a wholly unconstitutional and unlawful movement, which the Trades Dispute Act never contemplated." Sir John quoted a speech by Mr. J. R. Clynes, Labour member for Manchester, declaring: "You cannot declare a general strike without anticipating a condition of civil war." Sir John exonerated the Parliamentary Labour leaders from ever designing, to blackmail the community. People could not be judged by motives, but by the obvious results of their actions. The decision of the Trades Union Council to stop the Press was most stupid and its greatest condemnation was its folly. i He admitted that apart from the legal i issue lay the social, industrial and human issue, to which the public and Parliament could not do justice till they realised that the general strike was a tragic blunder. Though he felt that the Government was right, he insisted that both the Government and the Trades Union Council had got themselves into a position in which neither could make the first move. The Government, he said, ought to announce its willingness temporarily to continue the coal subsidy upon the following three concurrent conditions:— That the general strike be called off and the mines reopened at the old rate of pay from day to day. The Government ought to announce that it proposed, in any event, to introduce legislation to give effect to the Coal Commission's recommendations.

The Trades Union Council and the coal owners should definitely undertake to negotiate forthwith on a basis of the full acceptance of the report.

Mr. T. Shaw, Labour member for Preston, said: "With all respect for Sir John Simon's legal knowledge, I desire to insist that it is not illegal for any body of persons to cease work if they wish. Speaking for myself, I believe that all Parliamentary Labourites desire to say that they have no need of Sir John Simon's absolution. We take full responsibility for all our actions. Sir John Simon lays all the blame on the trade unions and none on the mine owners, who posted notices of savage reductions which no self-respecting workers could accept."

Mr. Shaw said no attempt had been made to insist upon the lockout notices being withdrawn to permit of negotiations.. The trade unions would never accept a state of things where their strike notices but not tbe employers* lockout notices must be withdrawn prior to negotiations being opened.

Mr. Shaw said the Liberal motion should produce a restoration of the stalus quo, adding: "Is there anything behind it? Will it be favourably received? If they are assured that the miners will get a straight deal Labourites will do their utmost to bring about peace."

The debate was adjourned

Sir John Simon's speech caused animated discussion in the lobbies. While he was speaking Cabinet was sitting, so it is impossible to gain an idea how far Sir John's proposal to assist the coal industry for a period while arranging the conditions, of peace would be acceptable to the Government. The scheme is to be brought down in the form of a resolution to-morrow and the Liberals ask the Government to grant a day for a discussion in the House of Commons.

Meanwhile lobby comments are not very encouraging, Conservative opinion being firm on the point that the general strike must be' withdrawn unconditionally.—(A. and N.Z.)