TENSE SCENES IN HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 291, 8 September 1928, Page 11

TENSE SCENES IN HOUSE

PRIME MINISTER IN FIGHTING MOOD MR. SPEAKER WARNS A MEMBER LIVELY DEBATE ON COAL MINE DISPUTE There was a rapid succession of lively incidents in the House of Representatives yesterday, when the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) outlined the history of the recent dispute between croups of workers at the Cascade coal mine on the West Coast and made a statement that it would be the duty of the Government when called upon to see that co-operative workers were protected. It was the first real party clash of the session. At one stage the interjections were such as to prompt Mr. Speaker to warn Mr. V. H. Potter (Roskill) that he would be named if he persisted in his interruptions. The Prime Minister was in fighting mood, and his reply to the debate was punctuated with cries of “Hurrah” from his supporters. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) was described by Mr. Coates as “a bag of air.”

RIGHTS OF WORKERS INTIMIDATION MUST CEASE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM STAND “If it is found that steps are being taken to intimidate the men, and the Government is approached to terminate such offence, it will be its bounden duty to take such steps as may’ be necessary and advisable to see that the members of co-operative parties are permitted (o enjoy that measure of liberty of action to which they and each of us have an established right.” * This declaration of Government policy towards the right of workers to labour within the law, tinder the terms they choose, without being subjected to molestation and intimidation by other workers, was made by tlih Prime Minister at the close of a long statement, in which he reviewed the recent trouble at the Cascade coal mine, when the Denniston Miners’ Union endeavoured to prevent a group of workers from working in the mine under co-operative conditions. The Prime Minister said that the Cas-cade-Westport Coal Company held a lease of 715 acres from the Crown, most of the capital being subscribed locally. As operations in two mines in the area were not paying the company sought an improvement. and to that eml leased a third mine to Mr. T. M. Moynihan and Mr. E. Humphries, who worked it under the flume system of conveyance, and with co-operative labour. Union Withdraws Men. After the co-operative party had been working for a short period, the Denniston Coal Miners’ Union became appreben'sive, and on March 29, 1928, John Hayes, secretary of the union, wrote to W. T. Slee, secretary, Westport-Cascade mine, stating that by resolution of a general meeting of the Miners’ Union he was instructed to notify Mr. Slee that it was the desire of the anion that the company withdraw Moynihan and party from producing coal on the tribute or co-opera-tive system, and that the mine be worked under the same system as was in existence at the Westport Coal Company's'mines." and failing the request being complied with, further action would be taken to have this grievance remedied. On May 20. 1925, Mr. Tom Muir, industrial secretary of the Denniston Miners’ Union, wrote to Mr. Slee. conveying a decision arrived nt at a special meeting of the union on May 19. 1828: “That the Cascade Creek men withdraw their labour power, as we cannot further tolerate non-unionists in our midst.'” These men censed work on the 19th of the same month and since then they have been paid sustenance money by the union at the rate of £2 10s. per week for single men and £3 15s. per week for married inen, from a levy paid by (tie members of such union and other coal miners' unions. A resolution was also passed by the union and published in the Press stating that unless Moynihan and party were immediately removed from the mine the coal would be declared "black.” Prior to the stoppage all the union miners in another section of the mine had offered to take on a similar contract to that arranged by the company with Moynihan and party. This offer was not, however, accepted by the company because the price was too high. The Prime Minister said he had also been advised that the company offered to let similar contracts with the union men working in the first two sections, but the offer was not accepted. He had been further advised that the co-operative men had earned higher wages than the union men, and that all the regulations regarding safety measures in the mine had been taken. The action of the union in taking exception to the co-operative men was in violation of their agreement with the company. Co-operative Men Molested. Ineffectual endeavours to reach a settlement of the dispute were made and with the object of giving publicity to their views the members of the Denniston Coal Miners’ Union ceased' work on August 6, and held a monster demonstration. According to one newspaper report the members of Moynihaii and party, who were riding in a car, were forced compulsorily to be present when the demonstration was held, when some of the persons present suggested that the members of the party should be tarred and feathered;

and that the car In which they were riding should be pushed over the bank. The members of the party had also to endure as best they could the humiliation of having missiles thrown at them and a piece of 4 x 2 timber thrown on the roof of the car.

The Prime Minister said it was also gathered that. the local policeman, who was in attendance to keep law and order, was told in no uncertain manner not to interfere or the union officials would not be responsible for the actions of the crowd. As the result of the demonstration the members of Moynihan and party were compelled to return to Westport instead of proceeding from Burnett’s Face by means of a track to the Cascade mine, and were not allowed to resume work until August 13. Quotations read by the Prime Minister from another report were to the effect that the leaders of the union regarded the co-operative system as a distinctly retrograde movement and as a menace to trade unionism. The opinion was expressed by a number of speakers at the meeting that it must be combated, Mr. D Hayward, president of the National Council of Coal Miners. being quoted as saying: “Unless we can uproot this malignant growth we are doomed to failure. We must destroy or be destroyed ; we cannot work together. Let us not rest until we have completely eradicated this pernicious system from our midst.” Movement Worth Encouraging. The Prime Minister denied that Moynihan and party were tributors, reiterating that they were co-operative workers who, by the result of theit efforts, had been able to earn more than the members of the union. Theirs was a combination under which all combined to wrt’k cheerfully and efficiently to obtain success, each aiding the other to bring about such a result. The introduction of such a system in a separate section of mine should be encouraged and not intimidated, seeing that the results are more beneficial to the mtn as weil as to the company, atjd ultimately, if extended, the public must obtain ■ the benefit by being supplied with coal at a lower price. Mr. Coates added that it was understood that arising out of discussions which took place recently between representatives of several labour organisations and Moynihan and party, a friendly settlement was arrived at, the effect of which was that Moynihan and party were, to continue to work the section of the Cascade Mine under the co-opera-tive system. -In addition, the members of the co-operative party which was now working the Paparoa Mine were also to continue to operate. The results obtained by working under that method would be carefully observed, and if, as was believed to be the case, they were beneficial not only to the colliery owners but also to the men, it was hoped that a similar system would be extended to other mines. It was also sincerely hoped that no further efforts would he made to intimidate the men from working under such a system. A LIVELY DEBATE BRISK VERBAL ENCOUNTERS The Prime Minister’s statement was a prelude to the presentation of the annual report of the Mines Department. He said he was making it because he understood that the dispute would be mentioned in the course of the debate, and it was' only right that members of the House should be made aware of the facts affecting the situation. The statement was a long one, and at its conclusion the Prime Minister moved the formal motion that the report be printed. Once he was interrupted by Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), who was quickly enjoined by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. I£. E. Holland) to be quiet. Full Responsibility Accepted. With considerable vehemence Air. Holland rose to defend the action of the miners’ union which had been charged with intimidating the men working on the Cascade mine. He said the Prime Minister’s statement was a mutilated one, and that it had been made with the intention of stirring up trouble on the mine fields. The dispute had been amicably settled, and there was no reason for reviving it. lie hoped that the Prime Minister knew what he. was doing in making the statement.

The Prime Minister: I do, and accept full responsibility ±or it. Air. Holland said that workers all over the world had objected to the tribute system of working,-one of the causes of the dispute. Air. V. H. Potter (Roskill) : It is the best system in the world. Air. Holland: You know nothing about it. Mr. Potter: Oh, yes, I do. Air. Speaker: Order! Mr. Holland: The honourable member has never worked under trade union conditions. Member Warned. Mr. Potter: No (and rising in his seat), the tribute system is the best in the world. Air. Speaker: I am sorry I have to warn the honourable member that I will have to name him if he persists in making disorderly interjections when he has been called to order. Air. Holland reiterated that the Prime Alinistcr’s effort that afternoon was one designed to precipitate industrial strife, as the present year was election year. Air. Potter: Rot! The Prime Alinister: Nonsense! Air. Holland: You may say “nonsense” as often as you like, but the fact remains - The Prime Alinister: There is nu need to get excited. (Laughter.) Air. Holland declared again that the Prime Minister's statement had hidden the true facts relative to the demonstration at Burnett’s Face. The action taken ,by the Government in the matter was such as might be expected to result in an upheaval. Air. Potter: Bosh ! Air. Speaker: Order! Order! “Only an Agitator!” Mr. Holland accused the Prime Alinister of unfairness , in not giving notice that he intended to deliver his statement. "You arc no miner; you are only an agitator,” interjected Air. Potter. Air. Speaker : Order ! Order ! ’Mr. Holland: I cannot be responsible for what certain gentlemen say in this House when they arc not responsible for what they are saying. Air. P. Fraser ( Wellington Central) : Hear, hear. Hear, hear. Mr. Speaker: Order! Order! Challenge to Labour. Mr. Potter created further disturbance in the already troubled waters when he declared that he had more mining experience than Mr. Parry, and followed this up with the declaration that he was willing to go to the electors on the issue that he had more mining tickets, gold and coal, than the whole of the Labour Party put together. “I have worked not only in the mines of New Zealand and Australia, but in the deepest mines of the world.” Mr. Potter said. A Labour member: How old are you.' ' Mr. Potter: I am fifty, and judging by my intelligence you ought to be a hundred. . , . Mr. Potter said that the, only thing that stopped the miners of New Zealand from earning up to 50s. a day was the refusal of the miners’ union to supply them with trucks. The miners were correct in the attitude they took up with regard to co-operative workers and tribute men, but their leaders were wrong. Mr Parry supported Mr. Holland in his contention that it was indiscreet of the Prime Minister to read a statement for the purpose of securing a political advantage. “The Cap Fits.” Air. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) declared that the sole object of the Prime Alinister in making a statement was to convey the impression that the Labour Party had been in some way responsible for the dispute. _ . The Prime Minister: Does the cap fit. Mr. Armstrong: That was bis sole obPrime Alinister: The cap fits then? Mr'. Armstrong• No, but you tried to make it fit. , , Air. Speaker: Order! Order! . The Prime Alinister You are giving yourselves away. (Laughter.) , Mr. Armstrong: The Prime Minister was looking for. a scarecrow. Bankrupt ot policy, he tried to make political capital out of this question. ' . The Prime Minister: What is the hon. member disappointed about? Air; Armstrong (loudly) Tell us you wrote your speech ? N Mr. Speaker: Order! jOrder I The Prime Alinister:. Don t you like Air. Armstrong: I like that portion of it that is true. Air. Speaker: Order! Order! The Leader of the Opposition: And that is not too much. The Prime Alinister: Who said so' A Statement Withdrawn. Air. Armstrong: Nobody knows that better than the Prime Alinister himself. Mr Speaker: I think the hon. member had better withdraw that statement. . Mr. Armstrong: Yes, I will withdraw that remark, and will say the Prime Minister must have known it was hopelessly incorrect. ~, The Prime Alinister challenged Air. Armstrong to.point to any part of it that was • incorrect. “He can’t do it, Mr. Coates added. Air. Armstrong: I have not been on the spot The Prime Minister: Of course, you haven’t. (Laughter.) x 1U . Air. Armstrong added that, although he had not been on the spot, ' he. knew some of the men involved in the. dispute. “So do I,” remarked the Prime Alinister.-:. - ' Question of Inference. Air. Armstrong reiterated that the Prime Alinister had tried to convey the impression that the Labour Party was responsible for the dispute. The Prime Alinister: Who said so' Mr, Armstrong: That is the inference. The Prime Alinister: Point to one word? , , , Air. Armstrong: It was the only object the Prime Alinister had in view. The Prime Alinister observed that the cap fitted well. . Air. Armstrong: Certainly, this Party played some part in the dispute — A member: Ah, now you are talking! I (Laughter.) , , | Air. Armstrong: The part we played was in the 'settlement of the dispute. The

Prime Alinister was disappointed that it was settled. Alembers: Rubbish. Nonsense! Air. Armstrong: The Prime Alinister wants trouble for electioneering purposes. We know that. A member: Oh, do you? "Salting Them Up.” Air. Armstrong: He would be a very disappointed man if he had not some sort of dispute to'engineer now that the election is coming on. I am not going to say anything more in. regard to the matter. The Prime Alinister: You know nothing about it. Air. Armstrong: The Prime Alinister knows less. (Labour laughter.) The Prime Alinister: Oh, does he. You give me half an hour and I'll salt you up. Air. Armstrong: The Prime Alinister would make a hopeless member unless somebody wrote his speeches for him. Air. Speaker: Order! Order! The Prime Minister: There is nobody writing for me. Air. Armstrong: I am pleased the dispute has been settled The Prime Alinister: You said that before. (Laughter.) Air. Armstrong: If it is settled, why does the Prime Alinister want to stir up trouble again? , A Labour member: To make political capital, of course. Air. Armstrong: Exactly. Air. Peter Fraser (Wellington Central) alleged that the statement made by the Prime Alinister was not only a reflection on Mr. Coates’s own sincerity, but on a great section of industrial workers. How then could the Prime Alinister hope to bring about industrial peace by such foptlCS ? ■ ' A Fighting Reply. Left with only four minutes in which to reply, to a debate that had extended over the whole afternoon, the Prime Alinister gave a vigorous rejoinder to the criticism levelled at * him. "I have listened very carefully to the last honourable member’s speech,” said the Prime Alinister, "and I will ask him or any other member' of the Labour Party, this question: ‘What was the difference in the arrangement made: for the continuance of the work as compared with the original arrangement?’ / “You don’t know,” declared the Prime Alinister emphatically. "The Leader of the Opposition was a whole bag of air. He yelled, and he shouted, and he stormed away, and was glad to get on to something with which he was familiar. “Do you realise that I have been approached by the miners in this matter, demanded Mr. Coates, in reply to chorus of Labour interjections. “Do you know the whole of the co-operative system was threatened by the action taken? Do you know that the co-operative parties of New Zealand have asked where the Government stands on this matter: whether the right to work to individuals is to be given? ” ~ ■, . Air. Fraser: What rubbish! The Prime Alinister: “What rubbish, vou say. Long before the dispute uas settled these men wanted to know whether they bad the. right to work or whether they were to be interfered with by organisations of men who wanted to interfere with them ” . A Labour member: Action was taken by Protection if Necessary.

The Prime Minister: I give all credit to Air. Semple and the Labour Party for trying to get a settlement.. The co-opera-tive workers wanted to know whether they could go ahead or whether they wore to be dominated by one section. The statement I made to-day was a calm and cool statement, and clearly indicated that, while we were glad the dispute bad been settled, the men could rely on the Government giving them the necessary protection and assistance if they wanted to Reform members: Hurrah, hurrah! The Prime Alinister: Yes. that s what the Labour Party does not like. The arrival of the dinner adjournment stopped further debate.