THE WAGES "CUT”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 129, 13 March 1931, Page 2

THE WAGES "CUT”

THREAT OF GENERAL STRIKE. i. THE PREMIER HOOTEp. * . ' :•/] • (Special to “The Guardian.”) .WELLINGTON, March 12. A general strike of the workers of the Dominion if wages are reduced was the theme of a spectacular demonstration m the grounds of Parliament Building to-day. Oyer one thousand men marched through the city carrying 1 banners, including the red Hag, and weal ing red ribbons with the inscription “No Wages Reductions.” The deputation was too large to be received inside the building.. It thronged over the spacious entrance steps of the hallway and across the' grounds . Communists circulated a leaflet declaring “Labour fakirs—Trade Union Workers, it rests with you. Mass action is the only defence. Down "* tools. Declare a general strike.” Mr Holland and other Labour officials arranged that the Prime Minister, ■yoald attend the demonstrations. While ajwaiting him a Communist made an impassioned speech suggesting that it would only he by means of a general strike that the workers coulcl avoid starvation.- ■ / . The “Red Flag” song was • sung to the tune of “The Watch on the Rhine.” . , . Mr Forbes’ appearance w-as greeted with hoots, but the gathering was generally, orderly. Mr James Roberts, of the Alliance of Labour, declared that unemployment had put the workers jn a peculiar position. “We cannot effectively take action on the job but there is the old\ saying ‘Where there’s hope there’s no fear,’ and we have arrived at that stage with the workers.” Mr Forbes, replying, was interrupted at almost every sentence, though there was no disorder. He denied any intention to reduce the standard of living, contending that official figures ' already showed a drop of 9 per cent-; As for mortgage interest, if mortgagees got 20 per cent, of their interest from private borrowers this year they would be lucky. “Surely,” concluded Mr Forbes “we N should pull together. What is the use of high wages if ' you are walking about the streets?” Before the assemblage dispersed, a speaker informed the crowd that after hearing the official reply the only remedy was a general strike.

THE ALLIANCE CONFERENCE. A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. WELLINGTON, March 12. The Allianjce of Lab pur conference resumed sitting after thq deputation, to the Prime Minister this morning. A statement to the Press afterwards reported that the reply of the Prime Minister to the deputation had been considered most unsatisfactory. Mr Forbes had not given any justification for a reduction of wages. The conference, it was explained, will complete a plan of campaign to oppose the intentions of the Government. The conference also discussed the Unemployment Act, disapproving of the administration of the Act, the opinion Iveing that money subscribed by the workers was being paid to private employers and local bodies, and at the same time it was depriving workers of the rates of wages laid down bv Arbitration Court Awards. The conference was unanimous in condemning the Unemployment Act and its administration, and adopted a resolution that a new Act should be framed.

NOT REGARDED SERIOUSLY.

UNION SECRETARY’S VIEW CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.; Little importance is attached by Air •T. Roberts (secretary of the New Zealand Clothing Trades Federation of Workers) to the threat of a. general strike that is said to have been made at the conference held In Wellington under the auspices of the Alliance of Labour for the purpose of considering the Government’s wage reduction proposals. Ah> Roberts, who returned yesterday from the conference, said that the majority of the 'delegates were quite opposed to the idea of a general strike. Among a section, however, it was not mere bluff. Some of the larger unions were in favour of direct action, but the hopelessness of taking such a course was realised by the representatives of the smaller unions. He did not think there was any likelihood of a general strike being -ordered. The conference was the largest gathering of representatives of industrial unions ever held in New Zealand, Air Roberts said, and it was most successful from every point of Hew. All differences existing between the Trades Councils and the Alliance of,Labour were sunk at the conference, which proceeded- to face .the present problems with' a united front.