UNEMPLOYED ORGANISATION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22109, 3 June 1937, Page 8

UNEMPLOYED ORGANISATION

TO TUB EDITOR OF TUB PRESS Sir,—Posted conspicuously at the Unemployed Labour Bureau are notices proposing to form “a political non-partisan orgaxusation of sustenance men, casualised relief workers, and depressed workers for purposes of mutual aid and the advancement of material conditions.” The notice says it is proposed to seek affiliation to the Alliance of Labour, and is signed by Sid Fournier, convener. A meeting has been called for at an early date at the Trades Hall. As a vicechairman of the late Unemployed Workers’ Movement during the tramway and Waimakarirl strikes, and associated with the convenor of this meeting, I would earnestly warn all and sundry to whom such an organisation would appeal, against the proposed basis of its formation. Among the unemployed there are many who can recall the old movement, and the many attempts made to cleanse it of the many warring factions and political elements, always striving for control, which used the misery and anxiety of the unemployed as a chopping-block for all their activities. This was well recognised by the authorities to whom we had ultimately to appeal, and brought us much indifference and contempt avul very little else. In all its policy a definite attempt and desire was snown to be “militant." and a policy of “fool fury” against government, local authority, press, pulpit, and people was skilfully propounded and engineered and accomplished by the party In majority, which Mr Fournier ably represented. . A definite danger confronts the present unemployed in that most of them may be termed “recent” in their misfortune, and unacquainted with these previous efforts for their "Improvement.” Apparently the time appears ripe for certain people again to harass the Labour Government as was the previous one; engineer strikes and create friction at any sign of co-operation, to wrangle and resolve on fool propositions, thus stultifying any prospect of accomplishment, and thus keep all wounds raw. I, with many others, hold the opinion that we should absolutely hold aloof from any political party even such a hybrid as the one proposed—“non partisan, yet affiliated to the Alliance of Labour.” 1 believe also that the trade unionist has long become callous and indifferent towards the unemployed and now certainly regards his unfortunate brother, and wife and children, as some form of insurance against his losing his steady job. Unemployed organisations in the past have been hampered by requiring the assistance of trade union officials and free use of the. Trades Hall, and because of this, many—the majority —have refused to associate. I am convinced that with an absolutely non-political association, where all doctrines are absolutely subordinated to the force of our common need, we may hope to interest and connect with the many streams of humane and sympathetic understanding and powerful We have amongst us some fine men of integrity, status and dignity who refuse to consider themselves “economic wastage,” and who will do for others that which they would gladly do for themselves. Such an organisation will never be formed under the conditions posted at the Labour Bureau, but if shown to be desirable, the way is easy. Also, this is the form of organisation the responsible authorities desire.—Yours, etc., HARRY J. YATES. May 31, 1937,