Humphrey Mitchell (Minister of Labour)
Liberal
Hon. HUMPHREY MITCHELL (Minister of Labour):
I understand an hon. gentleman is going to move the adjournment of the house to discuss another matter, so I thought I had better get in first. The hon. member for Rosetown-Biggar (Mr. Coldwell) sent me notice of a question in reference to the movement of six hundred men into Cornwall, and I think I should answer immediately because this does affect the situation to a great extent. Immediately I read that statement in the newspapers I got in touch with the operators, from whom I received a telegram. I think it would be better to read this telegram, and also a telegram I have received from the union. This is the telegram from the operators:
Referring to newspaper reports of to-day and with reference to our telephone conversation of this morning ship owners say that no arrangements have been made for a mass movement of men into Cornwall. They say that they have available at least six hundred men many of whom are returned men ready to man their ships ahd that any attempt to man any vessel or vessels will only be made after full and proper notice to the proper police authorities and in full cooperation with them. Meantime strikers are pursuing their acts of lawlessness tile latest of which was the attack on the steamer Birchton last night in the Soulanges canal, when they seriously injured the cook, smashed up the galley throwing the galley stove overboard and committed other acts of vandalism. Also strikers last night forcibly removed the crews of the steamers Houson, Stewart, Richards, Maple-heath, (i ra in m of or and Kinmount while they were lying peacefully at dominion government property at Coteau.
(Signed) George R. Donovan, Secretary, Dominion Marine Association.
I also received, in reference to the same matter, the following telegram from Mr. J. A. Sullivan of the Canadian seamen's union: View with alarm press release from ship owners in Montreal in which they state that they have organized and are prepared to move into the city of Cornwall six hundred thugs. They quote in their statement that they intend to get the ships out of Cornwall with or without the aid of the authorities. Such open defiance must be checked. They have accused this organization of violence but with their own words they have proven that they are the lawless ones. Surely it is time for the government *to act in stopping such a procedure.
I have read these telegrams, Mr. Speaker, to give my hon. friend and this house some indication of where the Minister of Labour sometimes sits in these disputes.