HIGH FEELING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19840, 14 May 1927, Page 7

HIGH FEELING

AN ANGRY LABOURITE Mr Jack Jones Speaks his Mind in House of Commons THE TRADES UNION BILL DISCUSSION IN COMMITTEE STAGE [By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, May 12. When dealing with the Trades Unions Bill in the committee stage the disputes clause was one that continued to give the Government trouble. The lawyers were in the saddle throughout the sitting and endeavoured to define the general strike, sympathetic strike, and coercion. Incidentally Sir Douglas Hogg promised a far-reaching amendment, providing that ordinary strikers, who took no part in organising an illegal strike should be exempted from the penalties. The Labour members greeted the concession with laughter and cries of “Cold feet.” A Matter of Wording. The debate finally crystallised into a discussion on Sir John Simon's amendment, making the first clause read: — It is hereby declared that notwithstanding anything- in the Trader Unions Acts, any combination, whether of employers or employed, the the majn object of which is to coerce the Government and Parliament (as distinguished from furthering a trade dispute), by means of a concerted and simultaneous refusal io continue work, is an unlawful conspiracy. Sir John Simon claimed that this was considerably clearer than the original clause and "would carry out the Government’s intentions. Confusion. The Hon. E. A. Harney (Liberal) said that all the confusion arose through the Government undertaking the impossible on the one hand and recognising strikes as lawful on the other hand, saying that they ought to be stopped at the point when they are dangerous. It was impossible to define that point and a wise Government would not try. Lord Inskip, said that he recognised that Sir John Simon’s desire was to improve the clause, but he believed the Government’s wording was better. The Cfiousure. Finally Sir Douglas Hogg moved the closure amid cries of “Gag!” and the amendment was negatived by 264 votes to 159. Later, Mr Sidney Webb, in a 45minutes’ speech, asked if it would be made illegal for sailors to strike because they considered the ships unseaworthy, or for miners to strike against an r’ight-hours’ day. AU these could be said to be intended to coerce the GovernMr Webb ment. There was a further noisy demonstration at eleven o’clock when Sir Douglas Hogg again moved the closure, Mr Jack Jones angrily calling out “You dirty hog!” “Language!” The chairman, however, ignored him and the elousure was carried, the Labour members singing “England Arise,” as they went through the byAs soon as the division was called Mr Jones again shouted: “It is a dirty trick, and nothing but a hog would play such a trick.’’ There was a renewed demand that ho should be named, but Mr Jones retorted: “You cannot name me now.” After a 90-minutcs’ debate the closure was applied on another amendment amid angry protests from the Labourites, who during the subsequent division sang tho “Marseillaise.”

MR. RAMSAY MACDONALD FURTHER CRITICISM OF THE BTT.T, 11 INSULT TO SANE MEN.” (A. & N.Z.) NEW YORK, May 12. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, who suffered a severe relapse at Philadelphia about three weeks ago, is now so nearly well that he will probably leave hospital on Friday and will shortly be sailing for home. Interviewed, he said of the Trades Unions Bill that every direct-thinking man, whether he had been in sympathy with our party or not, must see that the legislation was a bitter, blind blunder, and showed that the present Government would do the country much harm if it continued in power. “It is an insult to sane men to offer it to Parliament,” he said, “and oniy 1 those whose hearts and heads are full of class prejudice and blindness to jusi tice will support it. What is worrying I me is that I am in this hospital room ’ 1 instead of in Parliament fighting the 1 , Bill.