POSITION OF MR. P. C. WEBB, M.P.

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 44, 20 February 1918, Page 8

POSITION OF MR. P. C. WEBB, M.P.

THREAT BY BLACKBALL MINERS

"THE LAW MUST BE OBSERVED."

The following interesting correspondence has taken place relative to an appeal which has been made to exempt Mr.. P. 0. Webb, M.P., from military service :—

Copy of telegram from the secretary, Miners' Union, Blackball, to the Eight Hon.' W."F. Massey, Prime Minister, .Wellington, 6th' February, 1918:—

Blackball miners at stop-work meeting yesterday demand exemption Webb. ■Insist on 'our constitutional rights to choose own representative for Parliament. Will resent any interference' by immediate industrial revolt.—(Sgd.) Balderstone, .'-■ "'"". -."

Reply : 7th February, 1918 :—

Your telegram received. • I hope that wiser counsels will prevail than the course you suggest. Parliament -decided by statute that so far as compulsory service is concerned there should be no discrimination between the Parliamentary representative and those he represents. In a crisis such as this members of Parliament should show a good example to private citizens. There are many members of Parliament from this and other British countries in the fighting line to-day, and they glory in what they are doing, while, their, constituents approve of and. are proud of them. Westland has 'put "up" a good record during the war, ,and I tjrust nothing will be done to lessen the credit which your provincial district has so far deserved. The question of exempting your representative has already been before the tribunal provided by law, and its decision must be observed by Mr. Webb, just as, by any other member of the community who has been drawn for military service.—(Sgd.) •W. F. . Massey. , . '•

Copy of telegram" from the secretary, Miners' Union, Blackball, to the Hon. the Minister of Defence, Wellington, "dated 6th February,: 1918 :— .

Blackball .miners.at.stop-work meeting yesterday demand exemption Webb. Insist on our constitutional rights to choose own representative for Parliament. WiE resent any interference by immediate industrial revolt.—• (Sgd.) Balderst'one.-"''-••'■'■•■ '•'""■ "

Reply : 7th February, 1918',

The Prime Minister and the Hon. W. D. ;S:; MacDmiald,Minister of Mines, have replied to your telegram of yesterday. The Prime Minister's ■ reply was ."sent"after.'the ..question, had been considered in Cabinet; It is difficult-for me to believe that Mr. Webb approves of the. telegram sent by you or of your action in endeavouring to have him exempted. The Military Service Act provides that unmarried fit men, .whatever their station in life, unless exempted by the . Military Service Boards, must do their duty in this time when their country needs them in its defence. The appeal on behalf of Mr. Webb has been heard by an impartial tribunal and dismissed. Like all others in a similar •position,.;. Mr. Webb must obey the law, and I am-satisfied-that-willing acquiescence on-the -part of the .Blackball miners will reflect honour on your representative and on yourselves.—(Sgd.) J. Allen.

: Copy, of telegram from the secretary, Miners' Union, Blackball, to the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, dated 6th February, 1918:— ■' ■

Blackball miners, at stop-work meeting yesterday, demand exemption Webb. Insist on our .constitutional rights to choose own J representative for Parliament. Will resent any interference by immediate industrial revolt. (Sgd.) Baklcrstone. \ . ■.'■,-.■

Reply: 6th February, 1918. Received your wire re exemption Webb, M.P. Regret to hear miners' demand. It would be well to remember that when we. demand . constitutional rights we can only ■ obtainr these rights by abiding by trie; "constitutional laws of the Dominion... I would strongly urge in the interest of democracy and in the general interest of the workers, and especially the miners, that no action should be taken b;/ them which will cause industrial trouble during the present Empire'crisis. ...I shall be pleased to place your representations before Cabi net for consideration, but as I stated in my previous telegram your member has the same-tribunal; I'to'deal-with/'his case as all, other,l reservists in "the country, and at that tribunal Mr. Webb will receive consideration and justice.—(Sgd.) W. D. S. Mac Donald.

Copy of' telegram from the secretary of .the. Roa Miners' Union,' Blackball, to the Hon. Sir Jamesi Allen/ Wellington, -, dated 12th. February, 1918:—:

Miners' Union demands rehearing of Webb before Appeal Board, failing union will act.—(Sgd.) Smith. . .

Reply, 12th'February, 1918.— Your telegram re Mr* Webb, M.P., received. I have to point out that Military Service, Board is only authority that has power to grant exemption from military service. It is the tribunal provided by law, and its decision must be observed by Mr. Webb just as by any other member of the community who has been' callec* up ■ for military service. Board has considered application for. rehearing,.. .and has., refltsed it.: I am unable, therefore, to interfere in this matter.—(Sgd.) ■J. Allen.