STATE OF EMERGENCY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 4 June 1926, Page 5

STATE OF EMERGENCY

CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND. REGULATIONS CONTINUED STRONG LABOUR OPPOSITION. BY CABLB-PBESa ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT. LONDON, .Tune 2. _ In the House of Commons, when Sir W. Joynson-Hicks (Home Secretary) formally moved the motion for an address thanking the King for his message announcing that a state of emergency existed, the Speaker stated that he had received an amendment which he thought was out of order. Mr Ramsay MacDonald: “What are its terms?” The Speaker: “It provides for an addendum to the motion praying His Majesty to exercise his Royal prerogative, and to pardon all the strike time emergency offences. This ought to be a separate motion, which will perhaps be relevant when the regulations are being. discussed.” Mr Ramsay MacDonald appealed for the withdrawal of the regulations, the continuance, of which was insulting to a country whose people had shown wonderful good temper and patience. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks admitted the people’s good temper, but said that there were cases of the reversal of that state of mind, and he was surprised at Mr MacDonald’s request, because the emergency was as great now as it was originally. Mr G. Buchanan asked: “Would I be in order in criticising the King for issu- ' ing*this proclamation, as he had no right to authomise it? (Ministerial cries “Order.”) * The Speaker’s was inaudible, and he was about to put the motion when a further excited uproar was led by Messrs Buchanan, Campbell Stephen and Kirkwood, the tirst-namccl insisting that the Speaker must reply. The Speaker said he had already replied: “You are certainly not in order. The King’s name must not be brought into discussions, because what he has done was on Ministers' advice.” Mr Kirkwood protested that it was a class proclamation, it was a scab Gov- . ernment backing the mine-ownbrs against the workers. He proceeded to taunt, “You gentlemen of England,” when the Speaker ordered him to resume his seat. Mr J. Westwood opposed the address of thanks. He opened with a remark that the King did not believe in the proclamation. The Speaker: “Order. I cannot allow the King’s name to bo used on one side or the other in any way.” The motion was agreed to by 249 votes to 100. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks then moved the continuance of the emergency regulations. Mr Barnes moved an amendment to omit the clause giving power to the Board of Trade to regulate the supply and distribution of food and fuel. The amendment was rejected by 268 votes to 108. The Labour members continued to oppose the clauses dealing with the supply and distribution of essentials, and empowering the Home Secretary to prohibit the use of funds from abroad in-

tended for any purpose prejudicial to the safety and. interests of the community. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks said there were strike-time charges, in regard to which 638 persons were fined, and 629 imprisoned. Altogether there were 150 incitement cases and 1389 cases of violence and disorder. He was unable to recommend His Majesty to issue an amnesty in the cases of incitement, violence and obstruction. Sir H. Slesser urged that there was no case for the continuance' of this martial law, the existing law being sufficient to deal with the present situation. Mr J. Westwood moved the omission of the regulation giving the police power to arrest without a warrant. The amendment was rejected by 173 votes to 78, and the regulations were carried' by 171 to 73.

ANOTHER CONFERENCE PROPOSED. i FIRST GLEAM OF HOPE. LONDON, .Tunc .3. The Morning Post states that officials of the Coal Owners’ Association have invited officials of the Miners’ Federation to meet them, with a view to the possibility of getting the two executives together, under an independent chairman, for the purpose of formulating a basis of peace. The Morning Post adds that this is the first real gleam of hope since the mines closed down five weeks ago. Possibly the Government or the Speaker of the House of Commons will be asked to nominate a chairman.