MANY LABOUR SPEAKERS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20997, 27 October 1933, Page 12

MANY LABOUR SPEAKERS

PIECE-WORK AND CAMPS DISCUSSED ! MR PARRY'S COMPLAINT j (PRESS ASSOCIATION' IJUOIIAK.) WELLINGTON, October 26. The Imprest Supply Bill was introduced into the House of Representatives this afternoon by Gover-nor-General's message and was accorded urgency. Mr W. E. Parry (Lab., Auckland Central), speaking during the debate on the bill, complained that the Government had failed to deal with the unemployment problem. The state of affairs at present was little short of a scandal. He asked how long the Prime Minister thought unemployed men and women were going to be satisfied with the left off clothing of the rest of the community, and how long were the people going to stand for "slave camps," which were "'little short of criminal incubators." Not only were the unemployed being forced to work for a mere pittance, but now the Government was trying to foist piecework on to them. He declared that if he were a relief worker to-day he would be a source of annoyance to the Government. "I am not going to knuckle down to this sort of thing for another two years," he added. "I will probably have to do a bit of a term in gaol, but I won't mind that. I didn't shirk it before, and I hope I worit shirk it again. I don't like it, but I won't shirk it." Mr Savage's Amendment. The leader of the Opposition (Mr M. J. Savage) said it was impossible for relief workers to earn their salt on the present rates of pay. If the men refused to accept the rates, they were debarred from receiving any relief work. He moved the following amendment: — "This House records regret that the Government has failed to deal effectively with the question of unemployment, which is causing so much destitution and distress. It expresses disapproval of the present relief works system, and strongly condemns the proposal to introduce piecework to jobs carried 011 under relief work schemes. It further expresses the ooinion that the time has arrived for applying standard wages j and conditions to all relief work." He said he was asking the House to support the amendment because men. women, and children were expected to exist in a state of semi-starvation, while the country did not know what to do with its production. Effect was not being given to the main provisions of the Unemployment Act, and they were poor enough. The amendment was seconded by Mrs E. R. McCombs (Lab., Lyttelton), who said she desired to refer to the problem as it affected youth and women. Boys had to be deprived of education facilities, but were not being provided with employment. There was a responsibility on the part of the Government, and the Government should accept that responsibility or resign. She was amazed at the manner in which the Government leaned on the charitable institutions of the country. She suggested that the Government should train unemployed women in beekeeping, and in flower and vegetable culture. Mr I-I. T. Armstrong (Lab., Christchurch East) said that the piecework system was the worst form of injustice that had been inflicted on relief workers. "Internment C'amps." Mr R. McKeen (Lab., Wellington South) said that single men's camps amounted to internment camps. Mr D W. Coleman (Lab., Gisborne' said that under the piecework system skilled workers would be unable to earn sufficient on which to live. Mr E. J. Howard (Lab., Christchurch South) said the whole country was opposed to the Government's policy. Mr H. Holland (C., Christchurch North) said he had visited the Ashley single men's camp, and he considered the accommodation desirable in every particular. Mr J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) said the Ashley camp was not characteristic of the camps generally. He had visited camps in which he had seen shocking conditions. Mr Lee said the Government was indifferent to the unemployment situation. It did not care, although men were being driven down to the level of beasts. The Government thought things were all right because the people were quiet, but it might be the ouiet before the storm. There was a rebel generation growing up throughout the Dominion which was not going to have its ambitions and its capacities frustrated by slavery conditions. Mr E. Tirikatene < hid., Southern Maori) said there was widespread distress among the Maoris, and he urged the Government to rectify the position. , , Mr D. McDougall (hid., Mataura) said that 7d a yard was being paid for shifting solid rock. He would like to see some of the Cabinet Ministers doing the job at those rates of pay. Mr R. Semple (Lab., Wellington East): I would like to be in charge of them. Mr F. Langstone (Lab., Waimanno) said that the policy of forced camps was absolutely detestable and contrary to all the country's traditions. There was a big difference between the present camps and the public works camps of former days. Mr W. A. Veitch '(Wanganiu) said that the administration of the unemployment situation was open to criticism. It was an unsound principle to use taxation revenue on private work. All taxation should be spent on public assets and public services. (Left sitting.) ,