HC Deb 25 February 1914 vol 58 cc1737-8
1. Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, during a trade dispute at Christchurch, New Zealand, a few months ago, men of the "Psyche" and "Pyramus" were called into requisition and were paraded with fixed bayonets; that the ships' guns Were trained upon the wharves; and that unloading operations by strike-breakers were aided by the ships' searchlights; and whether this interference in a labour trouble was done With the knowledge and sanction of the Admiralty?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill)

Sir, it is the fact that His Majesty's ships "Psyche" and "Pyramus" were present at Lyttelton, the port of Christchurch, during one period of the recent labour disputes. I have no exact information of the measures taken there, but they were adopted only at the express request of the responsible Government of the Dominion. The following telegram which was sent to the senior naval officer of the New Zealand Division of the Fleet on 28th October last sufficiently explains the Admiralty position:— Common law obliges you, if act rally on scene of riots, to assist civil authorities on formal demand of magistrates. Admiralty policy is to avoid all interference in labour disputes, especially in Dominions. You should endeavour to avoid being in position where you are likely to be called upon to intervene unless you are personally satisfied that your presence is necessary to avoid bloodshed. Admiralty finds great difficulty in believing that such conditions exist at present, but you must use your own judgment. I may add that it has given the Board of Admiralty great satisfaction that it did not in fact become necessary for His Majesty's naval forces to come into actual conflict with any section of the community in New Zealand.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask 'whether any reply was received to the telegram from the Admiralty?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Well, of course, the senior naval officer acknowledged the receipt of the telegram.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that in the event of a ship being in a neighbourhood where a dispute is likely to occur it should at once sail to get away from the possibility of being asked to take part as the answer appears to suggest?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It is; and has long been the policy of the Admiralty to disentangle the Navy as far as possible from all disputes of this kind.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Does the right hon. Gentleman say, if any Colony desires the assistance of one of His Majesty's ships, that the officer commanding, if he thinks the possibility is likely to occur, is at once to sail away so that the Colony cannot have the advantage of his assistance?

Mr. CHURCHILL

All these questions are, as the lion. Gentleman will readily appreciate, matters of tact and discretion.