EXPULSION INVITED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 54, 5 March 1930, Page 10

EXPULSION INVITED.

LABOUR SECRETARY'S STAND.

UNEMPLOYMENT PROPOSALS.

WILL REMOVE SUFFERING,

.(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) DUNEDIN, this day.

Despite attacks made on him in Labour circles for his support of the unemployment committee's taxation proposals Mr. Ralph Harrison, secretary of the Dunedin General Labourers' Union, continues to give his approval to the proposals. In a ietter to the Press to-day Mr. Harrison states: "I feel that some of the criticism which has been expressed against my approval of the unemployment scheme as recommended by the investigating committee is worthy of some explanation. I offer no apology to . anyone and openly confess that I would be pleased if it came into operation at once. It may appear at this stage to be crude and full of anomalies. However, I am thankful that it has. been born and woe be to those who will try to kill it. Let us help it to grow. Its birth is an indication that we as a community will acknowledge the right and just claim of the unemployed man and woman to their portion of wealth which is produced by the community. "Judging from expressions of critics the fly in the ointment is the imposition of taxation. I understand that the most proficient and scientific tax gatherer is one who can obtain it from the people with the least amount of squeal. Whether I be a trade union secretary or a member of the Labour party I still retain my own • personality and freedom to express my own individual opinion of what I consider right or wrong. Let those who wish to dissociate themselves from me do so. . "If a resolution expelling me from the O.L.R.C. will help to purify that body I will heartily welcome such resolution. The loss may not altogether be mine. I am able to console my own conscience with the thought that I have to some extent rendered more than lip service. If it be not appreciated it is not altogether my fault. The members of the investigating committee may have cause to take a far different viewpoint of the economic and industrial system from the large majori'.y of the people. When a majority of the people desire other con-,

elusions they will place their confidence in men and women of other opinions. At present they are convinced that the right men are in the right place. If these men fail to achieve better results than their predecessors they will be replaced by a different type of man. "It appears to be preordained that the progress and development of mankind shall move from stage to stage in the direction of more perfect life. Those forces which attempt' to retard this upward tendency no matter under what flag they sail will be driven like chaff before the wind. The unemployment scheme is an effort to remove useless suffering amongst unemployed. Therefore.it:will have my support to the best of my ability." . •