Mr. THOMASasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the local branch of the National Union of Railwaymen at Thurles, county Tipperary, arranged to hold a meeting of railwaymen on 26th October to receive a report of the Irish delegate to the annual general meeting of the union and to welcome a visit from the organising secretary, and that although ten days' notice was given the police gave orders on the eve of the meeting that it was not to be allowed unless a special permit from the authorities could be produced; that the local trade unionists were recently forbidden by the police to hold a meeting in the Foresters' Hall for the purpose of starting a co-operative society; whether the police exceed their duty when interfering with trade union meetings in this manner; and, if so, what action he intends to take in the matter?
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§ Mr. MACPHERSONUnder existing Regulations a permit for the meeting of National Union of Railwaymen was necessary, and the promoters, though informed beforehand of this necessity, declined to seek a permit, and did not hold their meeting. The answer to the second part of the question relating to local trade union meetings is in the negative.