Mr. J. JONESasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether a number of men employed by Mr. R. M. Saunders, Ballimacourty, Aherlow, County Tipperary, have been on strike since the 28th August in order to enforce the terms of an award issued by the Ministry of Labour, Dublin, in March of this year, establishing rates of wages for all Irish saw-mill workers; why Saunders has been assisted in his efforts to defeat the men by soldiers and police;
(2) the farm workers employed by Mr. Saunders, Ballimacourty, Aherlow, County Tipperary, have been on strike since 28th August in order to obtain the same rates of wages as have been paid by all other farmers in the district; if Saunders has refused; if soldiers of the Lincolnshire Regiment have been assisting Saunders to get his farm work done; whether these troops have been provided for this purpose with the knowledge and consent of the authorities; and whether it is the policy of the Irish Government to interfere in trade disputes in this manner?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe incidents to which the hon. Member refers have already been brought to my notice. The labourers employed on Ballimacourty estate lire not on strike but have been intimidated by threats of violence, into leaving their employment, as part of an organised attempt to boycott Mr. Saunders and his family. The boycott having so far failed, attempts have been made to assassinate both Mr. Saunders and his wife, happily without success. A company of the auxiliary division of the Royal Irish Constabulary was sent to Ballimacourty for purposes of protection only, and was subsequently replaced by a company of the Lincolnshire Regiment. These troops and police have not been employed on other but their proper duties.