EMERGENCY IN BRITAIN.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16814, 4 June 1926, Page 7

EMERGENCY IN BRITAIN.

REGULATION TO CONTINUE DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. LABOUR DESIRES WITHDRAWAL. (Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.) LONDON, June 2. The Home Secretary, Sir W. Joyn-son-llicks, moved in the House of Commons a formal mol ion that an address bo presented to the King thanking His Majesty for his message announcing that a slate of emergency exisled. The Speaker said he had received an amendment which he thought was out of order. Mr Ramsay MacDonald (Leader of iho Labour Party) : "What arc its terms?” The Speaker: "It provides for an addendum to the motion praying His Majesty to exercise his royal prerogative and pardon all offenders against the emergency regulations in force during the general strike. This ought to be a separate motion. It will perhaps be relevant when the regulations arc being discussed.”

Mr MacDonald appealed for the withdrawal of Hie regulations. Their continuance, he said, was insulting to the country, the people of which had shown wondreful good temper and patience. The Home Secretary admitted the good temper of the people, but said there were cases of a reversal of that state. lie was surprised at Mr MacDonald’s request because the emergency was as great now as it was originally. Mr G. Buchanan, Labour member for Glasgow (Gorbals), asked: “Would I bo in order in criticising the King for issuing Iho proclamation, as he had no right to authorise it? (Ministerial rrics of “Order”)

Tlie Speaker's reply was inaudible, lie was about lo put a motion when a further excited uproar broke out. It was led by three Labour members, Mr Buchanan, Hie Rev. Campbell Stephen, Glasgow (Camlaehie), and Mr D. Kirkwood (Dumbarton). The first-named insisted that the Speaker must reply.

The Speaker said he had already replied, lie added: “You are certainly not in order. The King’s name must not 1)0 brought into discussions, because what ho lias done lias been on his Ministers’ advice.”

Mr Kirkwood protested that it was a class proclamation. It was a case of a “scab” Government, backing Iho mine-owners against the workers. Mr Kirkwood proceeded to taunt “you gentlemen of England.” Tlie Speaker ordered him to resume his seal. Mi- J. Westwood, Labour member for Midlothian, said lie opposed the address of thanks. He was of the opinion that the King did not believe in the proclamation. The Speaker: Order. I cannot allow the King’s name lo be used hy one side or the other in nay way. Tho motion was agreed to by 249 votes to 100. Tlie Home Secretary then moved the continuance of the emergency regulations. Mr A. Barnes. Labour member for East Ham, moved an amendment to omit the clause giving power lo Hie Board of Trade to regulate tlie supply and distribution of food and fuel. The amendment was rejected hy 2GS votes to 108. The Labour party continued to oppose the clauses dealing with Hie supply and distribution of essentials and empowering Hie Home Secretary to prohibit the use of funds from abroad intended for any purpose prejudicial to the safety anil interests of tlie community. Sir Joynson-Jlicks said 1760 charges were laid during llio general strike. A total of G3B offenders were fined and 629 were imprisoned. Altogether llicre were 150 incitement cases, and 1389 cases of violence and disorder. J'lie Minister' said he could not recommend His Majesty to issue an amnesty in cases of incitement, violence anil obstruction. Sir Henry Slcsser, Labour member for Leeds, urged there was no ease for a continuance of this martial law. The existing law was sufficient to deal with tlie present situation. Mr Westwood moved the omission of Hie regulation giving Hie police power to arrest without a warrant. The amendment was rejected by 173 votes to 78, and tlie motion to continue tlie regulations was carried by 171 to 73.