54. Mr. T. WILSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received the Report of the Governor of Gibraltar regarding his action in prohibiting a meeting of the Gibraltar Dockyard British Workmen's Association to discuss certain local grievances; if so, can he state the nature of the Report; and whether he can give an assurance that the legitimate right of trade union meeting shall not be interfered with?
§ Mr. HEWINSYes, Sir. It appears that two meetings were advertised in the local Press, although the Governor's permission to hold them had neither been sought nor obtained. Some 1,200 or more men were to have been present, and, as the Governor considered that the holding of meetings of this size for the discussion of grievances in a fortress like Gibraltar was attended with risk, he prohibited the meetings on military grounds.
While General Miles has never in any way restricted the workmen's right of combination, and has always been ready to attend to their representations with a view to justifiable redress, he is confident that to grant in war-time, and in a place which is primarily a fortress, the unrestricted right of public meeting would be likely to prove a source of considerable difficulty to the officer charged with securing the safety of the fortress and the maintenance of law and order. I may add, after careful consideration, that the Governor's attitude in the matter has my full support.
Mr. DUNCANIf the men make representations, will they be allowed to have their trade union meetings?
§ Mr. HEWINSI said the Governor listens to all representations.