BRITAIN’S EMERGENCY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12464, 4 June 1926, Page 7

BRITAIN’S EMERGENCY

“AS GREAT NOW AS ORIGINALLY,” SAYS HOME SECRETARY REGULATIONS EXTENDED LABOUR MEMBERS ATTEMPT TO CRITICISE KING GEORGE The British Government has decided to continue the emergency regulations which came into force when the general strike began. Labour members strongly opposed the continuance of the regulations, and the Clydesiders attempted to criticise the King for Issuing the proclamation.

LONDON, June 2. In the House of Commons, when Sir William Joynson-Hicks, the Home Secretary, formally moved a motion for an address thanking the King for his message announcing a state of emergency, the Speaker stated that he had received a motion of amendment which he thought was out of order. Mr Ramsay MacDonald: "Wliat are its terms ? The Speaker: It provides an addendum to the motion, praying His jesty to exercise His Royal prerogative to pardon all strike-time emergency offences. This ought to be a separate motion, whicli, perhaps, would be relevant when the regulations are being -discussed. Mr MacDonald appealed for the withdrawal of the regulations, the continuance of which was insulting to the country, whose people had shown wonderful good temper and patience. S’ir W. Joynson-Hicks admitted the people’s good temper, but said there were cases of a reversal of that.. He was surprised at Mr MacDonald’s request, because the emergency was as great as originally. “YOU ARE NOT IN ORDER” (Received June 3, 8.10 p.m.) Mr G. Buchanan (Lab.): Would X be in order in criticising the King for issuing the proclamation, as he had no right to authorise it. Ministerial cries of “Order l” The Speaker's reply was inaudible. He was about to put the motion, when a further excited uproar was led by Mr Buchanan, the Rev. Campbell Stephen, and Mr D. Kirkwood. Mr Buchanan insisted that the Speaker must reply. The Speaker said he had already replied. “You are certainly not in order,” he added. “The King's name must not be brought into discussions, because what he has done was on his Ministers’ advice. ’ • Mr Kirkwood protested that it was a. class*proclamation. It was “a scab Government hacking the mine owners against the

workers.” He proceeded to taunt “You gentlemen of Eng" land.” and the Speaker ordered him to remove his seat. Mr J. Westwood opposed the address of thanks. He opened his speech with: “The King did not believe in the proclamation.” The Speaker; Order l I can* not allow the King’s name to be used on one side or the other, in any way. The motion was agreed to fay 249 votes to 100. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks moved the continuance of the emergency regulations. Mr A. J. Barnes moved an amendment to omit the clause giving power to the Board of Trade to regulate the supply and distriution of food ahd fuel. 1 The amendment was rejected by 26S 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 intended for any purpose prejudicial to the safety and interests of the community. AMNESTY NOT WARRANTED The Home Secretary said there were 1760 strike-time charges, and of the Offenders 638 were fined and 629 imprisoned. Altogether there were 150 cases of incitement, and 1389 of violence and disorder. He was unable to recommend His Majesty to issue an amnesty in cases of incitement, violence, and obstruction. Sir Henry Sksser (Lab.) 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 Westwood moved for the omission of the regulation giving the police power to arrest without warrant. The amendment was rejected by 173 votes to 78, and tho regulations were carried by 171 votes to