ARBITRATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16566, 27 October 1921, Page 7

ARBITRATION.

LABOUR MEMBERS AROUSED.

HARMLESS BILL PROVOKES MUCH DISCUSSION. (Special to the Star.”) WELLINGTON, October 26. There was much argument in the House to-night as to whether the Minister of Labour, who was in charge of the Bill to assist in the promotion of industrial peace, had or had not trailed his coat with the deliberate view to provoke a breach of tho peace in Parliament. Tho Bill itself was quite a harmless one to remove an anomaly which arose when Mr M’Oullough resigned his position on the Arbitration Bench. In his opening speech the Minister (the Hon G. J. Anderson) referred to recent happenings bearing upon arbitration law and the way in which the Court was viewed by some workers. This was what Mr E. J. Howard termed “ trailing of his coat.” Anyway, whether the coat was trailed or net. Labour members made a rush to tread on it. There was a. general discussion of arbitration law, yielding, however, little that was new and perhaps less that was likely to be useful. While Mr il. E. Holland was speaking on the Arbitration Bill Mr W. D. Lysnar interjected something to the effect that the law must bo observed. “ What is the use of the hon. member talking about observing the law,” retorted Mr Holland. “ Why, tho other day I heard him say to a member of this House that lie would deal with him out in the lobby,” Mr Lysnar: “ You are misinterpreting what I said.” Mr Holland (with a smile) : “ Now, how could L take any other meaning out of it ?” Mr Sullivan: ” Physical violence.” When Mr Holland finished his speech Mr Lysnar rose to say that he had been misrepresented. He had said he would give certain information to a member in the lobby. Ho did not wish to delay the House. Mr Holland: tl What was the information?” Mr Lysnar: “He wanted to know how to kill rabbits, and I said I would tell him different ways.” The Speaker did not give a ruling whether this might not be interpreted as physical violence or worse.