THE PENRHYN QUARRIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12650, 30 April 1903, Page 7

THE PENRHYN QUARRIES

A DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. Press Association—By Te.iegiapli—Copyright. ■ LONDON, April 28. (Received -April 29, at 7,37 a.m.) In tho House of Commons Mr Asquith's motion that the Government's inaction in regard to the men at Uethesda (tno ex-employees in Lord Penrliyn's quarries, "whete 'trouble had so long existed arising out of the question as to the power of an employer to carry on his business on his own terms) was reprehensible, and that it was the imperative duty of the Gov-ernment to promptly intervene- and secure a just and effectual settlement, was defeated by 316 to 182. . Mr Gerald Balfour, replying to Mr Astjuith, said that tho Board of Trade had no compulsory powers of intervention, ,'ind that it was impossible for the board to move to any useful purpose. Sir IT. Campbell-Bannerman taunted Mr Gerald Balfour with avoiding his duty.

Mr Arthur Balfour (the Prime Minister) said that a Conciliation Act- weuld be deprived of its real value if it were made compulsory.. He emisidered that Lord Peurhyn was right in resisting his men's claim to the controlling power of the management of the mines through a. quarry committee.