LABOUR BILL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 8

LABOUR BILL

TROUBLE AT HUNTLY. ■ Sir J. Robertson (Otaki) asked the Prime Minister what was the Government’s intentions with regard to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill? It had been freely rumour,ed that day that the Government did not intend to proceed beyond the second reading this session. The Hon. W. F. Massey, in reply, stated that at the last meeting of the 'Labour Bills Committee the previous jnorning it was arranged that evidence should be taken, and the bill proceeded with. Ho hoped to proceed with the measure, if only for the purpose of correcting some of the gross ■misrepresentations that had been made in regard to it. Sir Joseph Ward: “I hope wo get The bill back this session. It strikes Uproar and cries of “ Order 1” from the Government benches drowned Sir Joseph Ward’s remarks. Sir Joseph Ward: “Who is calling for order ?” Mr Allen : “ I am.” Sir Joseph Ward; “Well, the Speaker usually rules the House.” Mr Speaker: “Is the right hon. gentleman asking another question?” “REFORMERS” EXCITED. Sir Joseph Ward; “I am going to ask another question, but some of the fentlenieu opposite get very excited, desire to ask whether the Minister has received any official report in connection with the strike at Huntly ?’ Sir Joseph said lie had received some information which ho did not want to state to tho House. Ho presumed the Prime Minister had been advised by his officers, and ho would be glad to know what advice had been received, what were the prospects of a settlement, and whether any communication had been received from the proprietors of tho mines. If so, he thought tho House should know what they were. The Hon. W. F. Massey stated that he had received no communications or intimation from tho proprietors of tho mines in regard to tho trouble at Huntly; neither had he received any official report. He had received information with regard to the state of affairs, but ho thought the 'tnembor would recognise that an official report could not come over tho wires. Ho added that ho was moving in tho matter of bringing about a settlement, if it were possible to do so. Sir Joseph Ward: “Does ho propose to visit the mines?” Mr Massey: “I am afraid I can’t b© spared from my Parliamentary duties at the present moment.” Sir Joseph Ward: “I will go up with you, if you likel”