LABOUR NOT CONSULTED

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 65, 18 March 1930, Page 9

LABOUR NOT CONSULTED

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE COMPENSATION LAW INQUIRY MR. BLOODWORTH'S POSITION. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The appointment of Mr. T. Bloodworth, of Auckland, as a Labour representative on the Workers' Compensation Inquiry Committee, was challenged by members, of the district council of the Alliance of Labour in the course of a discussion to-day with the Minister of Labour, the Hon. W. A. Veitch. Mr. W. Bromley, president of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, said the council did not object to Mr. T. Bloodworth sitting as Mr. Bloodworth, but it could not be held that he represented Labour in New Zealand, for Labour had not been consulted in the matter. It might occur if committees were set up in that way that unanimous recommendations might not have the full support of Labour. He submitted that where the industrial movement was to be represented, apart from Parliamentary representation, it was advisable to appoint two representatives, including one chosen by the industrial movement. They asked the Government to follow that procedure, as was done in the case of the unemployment investigation.

Mr. F. Cornwell said there was the possibility of a certain section of Labour —which felt sore at the Government's action in respect to the compensation inquiry—refusing to tender evidence.

The Minister replied that the committee had not been set up from a representative point of view, and he had been careful to avoid anybody who held strongly biased views in any direction. He regretted that the Labour movement had not taken a more broadminded view of the matter. If the committee was to be successful, it would need to have th" support of all sides.

The Minister said he admitted quite frankly thta the appointment of Mr. Bloodworth had not been on the advice of the Labour leaders, but had been due to thp fact that it was believed that Mr. Bloodworth would be a valuable man on the committee. As to the withholding of evidence, he suggested that earnest men, with the interests of the community at heart, would not adopt such a course. It was the bounden duty cf every Labour leader who was faithful to the members of his - organisation to come forward and give evidence.

Tn reply to Mr. Cnrmvell. the Minister said he could not see his way to appoint additional Labour representation on the committee. There were nine members already, and he thought that was enough.