PARLIAMENT AND THE STRIKE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14822, 13 November 1913, Page 9

PARLIAMENT AND THE STRIKE.

SIR JOSEPH WAKD'S ATTITUDE. (riUBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND. November 12. At a Citizens' 3>ofence Committee meeting which was also attended by representatives of the Farmers' Union, it was reported that the present strength of the mounted police could easily be maintained to the end of the year, and there would be no difficulty in keeping it up to 750 men for three month* longer if required. A resolution was passed "deprecating the suggestions and attitude of bir Joseph Ward in the House last night. However good Bir Joseph's intentions the only effect would be to embarrass the uovernment in its difficult and responsible task of restoring order and authority, and indirectly to eupport the tions of the Federation of Labour, lhe committee further expressed its dc&iro "that the Government receive the support of-all parties in this trying Mtuation. The special legislation such as was proposed in the House last nigut would be moro harmful than otherwise at the present juncture einc© matters were rapidly settling themselves. NEWSPAPER COM3EENT. £lE, JOSEPH WATWS MISTAKES(BVZCtkh TO *'THK TEESS.") DUNED-LV, November 12. The "Star" says.—"lt seems to us that Sir Joseph Ward has been ptoying tho part of tho sympathetic and occasionally somewhat officious bystander, and Mr Massey, tho man in charge of the case, cannot be blamed for disregarding his advico and showing a lack of gratitude for his interference. Sir Joseph Ward made mistakes all along the line yesterday. The Government have shown by their firm administration of the existing law— common law relating to tne repression ... ---—~ :a J

o f rioting —how best to go to the root of the trouble. The Government have not flinched in this firm adminstration from a step which if, not taken, would have been a plain omission of their fluty as a Government. We refer to the* arrest of strike leaders, not as strike leaders, but as men charged with serious offences against the Crimes Act. Wo make no secret of the fact that part of the aftermath will- be the utter breakdown of the Federation of Labour, because its. aims and methods: are alike bad, and it has proved a curse not only to the whole community, but to those whom it professes to be seeking to help." (SPECIAL TO "THE TRESS.") AUCKLAND, November 12. The "Herald" says.—"lf Sir Joseph Ward had been as enthusiastically disposed towards prompt legislative action when the Federation of Labour was in control of the chief ports of New Zealand, and when law-abiding citizens were being intimidated and coerced from following their lawful business, he would have some claim to public gratitude at tho present juncture. His ill-advised proposals can do nothing but delay tho collapse of the Federation of Labour, which has been evicted from its usurpation of authority ami will be rooted out of New Zealand, unless it receives a. new lease of life from misguided politicians."