ROWDINESS IN THE HOUSE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 58, 4 March 1912, Page 5

ROWDINESS IN THE HOUSE.

(Received 4, 8.80 a.m.) Washington, Marcii 8. In a debate in tlio House oi J' prosontalives Committee in com o. ib-n | t:»e Lawrence strike, a p.-;,p:;5..l i was made ' y .Mr Berg, Wisccusi.., to adjourn t.. 0 homing of the citi/.rns’ side of the strike dispute. Mr Macartney, member for Lawrence, said the citizens’ committee opposed this on the ground cf e:;pease in keeping witness in Washington. Mr Berg opposed the collection of funds, alleging that any assistance would be blood money. A furious scene followed, other members preventing Messrs Berg and Macartney from fighting. SERVICES APPRECIATED. Napier, March 4. Mr R. T. Bailey, local representative of the Labour Department, was presented by the employers and men concerned in the recent waterside workers’ dispute with a handsome sideboard in appreciation of his services as chairman of the conference. The speakers on both sides referred to the unbiased and impartial manner in which Mr Bailey performed his duties. aucklaniTTabourers. Auckland, March 4. A meeting of the General Labourers’ Union to consider the refusal of local bodies and employers to confer with the executive was held in the Opera House yesterday. The building was crowded. Mr P. Fraser, president of the Labourers’ Union, presided. He said that the employers had made up their minds deliberately to reject all overtures. Ho declared that the labourers dn Auckland were the worst paid in New Zealand. The City Council was willing to offer its men eightpence a day on condition that they withdraw from the union. Thus local 'bodies were trying to buy the bodies and souls of the men for eighteenpence a day. Mr Parry, president of the Union, ridiculed the refusal of the Mayor to debate the position. “To Hades,” he said, “with the dignity'df a Mayor in a trouble of this kind.” They had the right to a fair hearing, hut this was refused. He challenged the Mayor to say he knew nothing of the report that an organiser had been through the King Country and had secured promises' of 300 farmers to come to Auckland in the event of trouble. Mr Withy, president of the Federation of Labour, said the strike was the last resort, hut if Abe gloves were taken off no mercy would he shown or asked.

The following motion wag unanimously adopted: “That this meeting ,of, citizens of Auckland protests against, the coercive tactics, of the City Council and other 1 public bodies of Auckland in refusing to discuss working conditions with the General Labourers’ Union and condemns the action of the Mayor and Councillors in allying themselves with the employing class against organised labour; and calls upon them to place public interests paramount and help to avoid industrial trouble.” ' ....... t o _j r***; RESUMPTION FAVOURED.*'R.'. (Received 4, 9.15 a.m.) 1 ' 1 1 Brisbane, March 4. A vote of the Amalgamated Engin-. ecrs’ Society favoured re-starting work to-day. The Carters’ Union at Maryborough has struck because the masters declined to reinstate a number of men who were paid off. The waterside workers have decided not to handle Cargo, because it null afterwards be worked by non-union carters. CIVIL SERVICE RETRENCHED. (Received 4, 9.15 a.m.) Perth, March 4. The Government is rigidly retrenching the Civil Service in order to make, up a portion of the increased expenditure incurred through advances granted to railway and other workers. A FUTILE CONFERENCE. (Received 4, 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, March 4. Another futile conference was held in connection with the Lithgow strike.