§ MR. EDWIN JAMESsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any objection to state to the House the object and the result of a Conference held with him by a deputation of the Central Association of Master Builders on Tuesday last upon the subject of the Builders' Strike and Nine Hours' movement?
SIR GEORGE LEWISSir, a deputation of Master Builders was introduced to me at the Home Office a few days ago; they stated that their object in applying for an interview was to explain the grounds upon which a difference had arisen between themselves and the working men of their trade. They made statements showing the reasons which had determined their conduct, and they also expressed to me an opinion—in which I could not concur—that it would be desirable that either this House or that Her Majesty's Government should take some part in arbitrating between themselves and the men, with the view of bringing about an accommodation. I stated that, although I thought the House of Commons was admirably fitted for the performance of its proper functions, I believed one of the means which had enabled it to maintain its authority and character, not only in this country, but throughout the world, was by abstaining from interference in affairs for which it 1342 was unfitted. I said it appeared to me that Parliament was singularly unfitted to arbitrate in a dispute between masters and men; and I also added that the Executive Government, although perhaps not so much disqualified for that office as a House of Parliament, did not possess the knowledge which would fit them for the duty, and that I could not therefore hold out any expectation that either the Executive Government or I myself could undertake such a function.