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Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 79, 1 April 1908, Page 7

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SECRETARY TO UNEMPLOYED DECLINES TO XEAVE. . PREMTF7R BENT SENDS FOE POLICE. ■ A sensational interview between Mr. Bent and the Melbourne unemployed took place in the Premier's rooni, at the Public Offices, on the 11th inst. Mr. .Prendergast, M.T.. \., introduced the deputation, which consisted of Mr. P. Heagney (Secretary of the Political Labour Council), Mr. Stephen Barker (Secretary of the Trades Hall Council), Mr. P. Koonin (secretary to the unemployed), and three other unemployed men. Mr. Prendergast said that he knew that Mr. Bent had done his best to provide employment, but there was a good deal of work that could be put in hand. While Mr. Prendergast was saying these few words, Mr. Bent had been scrutinising the deputation, and having apparently satisfied himself upon some point, he interrupted Mr. Prendergast. i "Who is the secretary to the unemployed?" asked Mr. Bent. "I am," replied Mr. P. Koonin, a young man, rather below middle stature, with a foreign accent. Mr. Bent: You are a Russian and a Socialist ? Mr. Koonin: That does not matter. Mr. Bent (in angry tones): I won't receive you. I don't care what you are. Go out Mr. Prendergast, AT.T,. A • I am a Socialist. Mr. Bent (to Koonin): I tell yon, go out. Mr. Koonin (in placid tones): I think that I've a right to be here. Mγ. Bent (rising and standing at the end of the table in a statuesque attitude and with his right hand clenched): Go out, I tell you. Mr. Koonin, who stood on the other side of the long, table which was up and down the room, did not move. Mr. Bent (in a still more angry tone): If you don't, Til very soon put you somewhere else. Mr. Koonin raised his voice to protest, but kept frig place. "GO FOR A POLICEMAN." Mr. Bent then walked hastily down the room, and gave the impression for a moment that he himself was going to put out Mr. Koonin. He did not turn round the table, however, but opened the door leading into the corridor, and evidently seeing a messenger at once called, oat, '"'Just go for a policeman.' . Several persons standing in the corridor waiting to see Ministers and officers were startled to hear the head of the Government give this direction in a perturbed tone, but were reassured on learning that the constable was only required to remove a member of a deputation. 2£r. Prendergast (on hearing Mr. Bent's order to send for a policeman) leaned over to Mr. Koonin and said, in a low tone: "You had better go out." Mr. Koonin: Fm here on behalf of the unemployed. Mr. Prendergast: I frhiTilr you had better go. Mr. Bent resumed his place at the head of the table and said, "Now, well see." Mr. Koonin (accepting Mr. Prendergast's advice) walked across to the door to leave the room. As he was about to leave he said laughingly, "And I'll see what I can do." Mr. Bent (springing up partly from his chair): What? Mr. Koonin (opening the door and retiring) : I will see what I can do. "I HAVE ENOUGH ABOUT HTM HERE." [ Mr. Prendergast said that Mr. Koonin had been there only because he was appointed by the unemployed. Mr. Bent (tapping some papers in front of him): I have enough about him here. That is enough for mc. I won't see Tifm. Mr. Prendergast (smiling): You are king here, of course. Mr. Bent: I always receive you well. You don't know so much about Tirm (Mr. Koonin) as I do. I won't accept hiyn as representing the unemployed. Mr. Prendergast: I am satisfied that he is desirous of getting work. Mr. Bent: Does he? What work does he do himself? I am speaking to you now. He does not want work. I know, perhaps, more than you do. I a.m dealing with you (Mr. Prendergast) now. REQUEST OF THE DEPUTATION. Sir. Prendergast then asked that all work that could be got in hand should be made available without delay. Men in the country who said that they had work offered wages that were disgracefully low, and yet complained because the work was not accepted. The "short cut" might be gone on with. Mr. Bent said that he would be willing to meet a committee appointed by the deputation to go into the whole question of finding and distributing work. He did not care what were the deputation's politics. There was no need to be at loggerheads over the main issue before them. Where humanity was concerned, he was not particular to a shilling or two, although the papers said he was easy with the unemployed. Mr. Bent then, read reports from ladies' benevolent societies on families reported by the unemployed (according to a list handed to >ivm on Monday) to be in distress. The report was to the effect that out of thirteen families referred to in the report, in only ten cases was relief found to be necessary. Mr. Prendergast asked if Mr. Bent would give this man representing the unemployed (he was understood to mean Mr. Koonin) audience in the future? Mr. Bent did not reply. The deputation then retired.