UNEMPLOYED BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 25, 10 November 1930, Page 4

UNEMPLOYED BOARD.

MINISTER AND UNIONS. REPLY TO CRITICISM. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Minister of Labour (the Hon. S. G. Smith) on Saturday issued a statement regarding the publication by th© Otago Labour Council of his reply to its letter of October 29. The Minister says that, in view of the unwarranted and untrue suggestion contained in the further remarks made by the secretary; it was only fair that lie (the* Minister) should quote portions of the letter to which he took exception. This he does, and adds that he questions whether any member of the council other than Mr Robinson was acquainted with the actual contents of the letter to which he took exception. Parliament, says Mr Smith, approved' of the method of appointment to the Unemployment Board, and as Minister he must_ carry out the terms of the statute,, and he intended to do so.

REJOINDER BY LABOUR MAN. DUNEDIN, This Day. Commenting on Laboitt* Minister’s criticism of a letter sent to hi mby the secretary of the Otago Labour Council, protesting against the method employed in selecting representatives on the Unemployment Board, Mr W. G. Baird (president of the Otago Labour Council) said the letter had the full approval of the Council. The act was debarred from a fair trial, as the Government had wantonly loaded it with such serious disability before it became operative. Labour was not prepared to waste time when the workers were not to have representatives of their own selection.