WALKED OUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 25, 30 January 1934, Page 10

WALKED OUT.

LABOUR MEMBER.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER.

SUSTENANCE PLAN PROTEST. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Local members of Parliament, representatives of unions, and the Rev. W. S. Rollings, waited on the Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, to-day, submitting a motion of protest carried at a public meeting recently against the board's sustenance policy.

Mr. Rollings said, that many children in primary schools were suffering mentally and physically through lack of nourishment brought about by repeated cuts in sustenance payments.

Replying, the Minister said that since the new sustenance rates were announced men under 50 had asked if they could come into the scheme, but the rates weren't meant to apply to ablebodied men. The board had been trying to safeguard their funds against winter requirements.

Prior to the close of the deputation, Mr. R. Semple left the room, declaring that he was satisfied that it was useless going to the Minister or the Government. Air. Semple had previously protested against the broadcasting of a statement banded to the Press by the Premier, defending the board's policy.

"The statement given to the Press," said Mr. Temple, "was read word for word by the announcer in Auckland while I was in that city. In that statement the Prime Minister ridiculed and misrepresented those of us who have taken exception to this new scheme. As a matter of fact, the statement was very unfair, as it suggested that the people who were protesting against the scheme were Communists, and it suggested that the Labour party was allied with the Communists. It was a political statement, and if I went to the Broadcasting Board and asked to be allowed to make a statement I would be refused. I suggest that if it is right for the Prime Minister to be allowed to give his views over the air, then it is right for others to be given an opportunity." The Minister: The Prime Minister was not speaking himself. Mr. Semple: The statement was read by the announcer. Mr. J. Roberts: That would improve it. Air..Semple: I haven't got a wireless set and I'm not going to get one. I wouldn't give the Government 30/ a year on principle, not while broadcasting is going to be used for political purposes.