, 1916-02-12

mic upon ua. Officially the Council has
M information of what steps Government
has taken IN the matter or is taking.
1t is plain to be seen from the excuses
sent in, that the Platers do not wish 10
have any interference from the Councils
side. The objection for their non attend
ance to-day is not, what might be reasonable,
that they are parties in the question to be
settled, no, with the few exceptions of BUSH
ness or sickness. they all emphasize the same
opinion, that the Council has nothing 10 do
with the present circumstances, this is u
great misunderstanding, which I cannot t
all acknowledge. However, out of Is men,
bers only 6 have met, so we have no quorum.
/ will therefore leave it to the members pro-
sent, if they have 0ny suggestions to make.
At the same time l will beg the Members
present TO abstain from cri'icizing what the
two contending parties have done and to
approach the subject as impartial as possible.
1t is a very serious time, for me personally
it stands as the question of the existence Of
the Island is in danger. If the parties could
agree about a middleman who could hear
both parties, we might come to a solution.
I repeat, not to come with personal remarks
that may lead to ill-will.
His Excellency the Governor (He1Oeg-
Larsen). [ learn from your remarks, that
you found reason to express, that no official
information was before the Council regard
ing The present circumstances. l can inform
the Council, incomplete as 1t is, that Govern
ment has taken it in its hands to be the me-
diator between the two parties and has at the
present moment laid proposals before the
leaders of the labourers, but has as yet not
received any answer from them.
In my opinion it is of no use to have two
mediators, and besides the Council might
not be considered impartial, consisting malu-
ly of members belonging to the one side.
From my side anything what can be done,
will be done. I am ready, day and night
for information for both sides.
3rd Crown Member (PrettO). Is it not
possible that the Government could assemble
the planters and labourers together?
His Excellency the Governor (Heyaceg-
Larsen). When l have taken over to be the
mediator, I must take the steps, I at any
time consider the most reasonable. I will do
as the hon. Member asked, when l see there
is reason for it.
3rd Crown Member (Preto). In my OPT
Mon the only solution would be to confer
with the principal leader of the labourers,
Mr.. Hamilton Jackson. If it only is, that he
is distasteful to them, then look away from
personalities. leave Mr.. Hamilton Jackson
personally out of the question and deal with
Hill hb We l6hu6I u lA6 OILS, Nl0A VIC
will be able to bring about a solution OF The
question.
His Excellency the Governor (He3ueg-
L0rsem). The feeling of the planters to-
wards the leader Of the labourers I have no
right to express my opinion about. l have
laid certain proposals before the leaders of
the labourers. The fact that I have received
no reply does not show much willingness to
continue negotiations.
3rd Crown Member (PreHo). The leader
will be willing to meet Government.
His Excellency the Governor (Helaceq-
LarSen). The Governor of this Island ha3
been insulted most shamefulIy by the person
in question. The Governor has his honour
to defend, the leader in question has been
most personal to me, not I to him.
The Chairman (Stokennonn). I am glad
to hear the reasons which His Excellency
suggested about the Planters not attending
the meeting, but their own written reasons
are not i'll conformity with His Excellency's
suggested reasons. / can understand that
the younger members fail to comprehend
the competency of the Council; but the older
members should understand this competency
and should have attended the meeting, be-
cause they are representing the community at
large. 1t may be correct that their reasons
~ IT,