DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, 8 November 1913, Page 5

DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S SUGGESTION. Wellington. Wednesday. A suggestion was offered to the Prima Minister by Sir Joseph Ward in the House thin afternoon as a possible means of brinrzimr to a cnixdur-ion the present vmfominat? industrial deadlock. "As a citizen and represent?.- | tive, I wish to place the question on a. i higher ijluiiP than that of partv," 1 went on the Leader cf the Opposition, | "and as a citizen and a representai tive of the people 1 wish to co-operate. I with the Government and my fellow ; members to terminate a state of : things that, must be deeply deplored by I all who have the welfare of the DoI minion at heart. In order to brine: this j about, I surest that a Committee of | six members from each party in the I House respectively be appointed, that I Mr Speaker preside over the Commit- ! tee, which be directed to report in twenty-four hours on the following questions: — FOUR BIG QUESTIONS. 1. Is legislation necessary to compel a settlement, and if so, on what linaa should it he framed? 2. Should a special Court of Arbi-

! tsation be established possessing plen- ; ary powers, if m ems:iry, to enforce I peace? j 3. Should the Smte inerveme and ! itself undertake the haiuliingann rfhip- | ping of cargo pending settlement? , 4. Any other matters connected with the dispute upon which the Committee censiderss the House shuid be advised. "I believe if this weie done," said Sir Joseph Ward, "the House could, without taking sides, at least compel p. settlement by both parties which would be in the general interest of the country, and without showing any favouritism to either party." LEGISLATION CONSIDERED BY CABINET. Th? Prime Minister replied that ho would be glad to take the suggestion into cennideration later on, and went on to express his pleasure at having the assurance of the Leader of the Opposition that he would do everything possible to assist in the maintenance of law and order. The Hon. Mr Massey continued: "This unfortunate position has been intensified by inflammatory speeches. delivered especially in Wellington. I make bold to say, however, that the great bulk of the country, nine out of ten of everyone in this country, are opposed to the strike, and are i anxious to bring about a settlement." Mr Webb: Rot. Absolute rot. J This interjection was the signal for an indignant cry of "Order order"; while the Prirne Minister protested against such an interruption. "Oh, don't be such a bully," ohouted Mr Payne, amid another roar of "Order." The Prime Minister expressed the opinion that the two interjections should be noted, and the members called up to withdraw them, upon which Mr Speaker severely reprimanded the interjectora, enforcing upon them the necessity for orderly and seemly behaviour. "I might say," continued the Pre mier, "that at a meeting of Cabinet this morning, the possibility of introducing legislation with the view of terminating the strike was discußßed. That is all I can say at present."