RELIEF WORKS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 218, 9 June 1921, Page 4

RELIEF WORKS

ANOTHER LABOUR PROTEST AND THE REPLY The Acting-Prime Alinister (Sir Francis Bell) ns received the following letter from the secretary of the Canterbury General Lalxiurers’ Union:— "At a meeting of the Canterbury General Labourers’ Union held last evening in the Trades Hall, Christchurch, the action of t lie Government in employing workers on the :?unmer-Lyttelton Road at rates considerably below that contained in the agreement between them and the New Zealand Workers' Union—viz., the Dominion Public Works and Construction Workers’ Agreement—was vigorously criticised and condemned, and I was instructed to forward the following resolution to you:—

"‘This union strongly protests against the Government breaking its agreement with the New Zealand Workers’ Union, in that it is not offering to pay its employees on the Sumner Road the rate of wages agreed upon with that union for men engaged on public and construction works. It is of the opinion that the Government should set an example of straight dealing to the rest of the community—that it should be loyal to its agreements—it still retains a lively recollection of the horror and amazement that was given expression to, both by the newspaper editors and well-known politicians, when a much-abused Labour official voiced the expression "to hell with agreements,” and wonders whether the Government is guided by that expression in this agreement. Or does it think it right and correct to "tear up its scrap of paper" when, in their opinion, circumstances warrant same?’ "I was also instructed to draw your attention. to the fact that these workers are citizens of.this Dominion, and ns such are entitled to a wage which will enable them to lire and function as useful members of society." Sir Francis Bell has forwarded the following reply:— "Dear Sir. —I am in receipt of your letter of the Ist instant forwarding a resolution passed at a recent meeting of your union. The Government is in full nceord with tho union’s resolution that agreements should be regarded as binding in honour and good faith upon all parties to the contract. The Government is glad to learn that Die union has affirmed that principle. The union has unfortunately been misled into the belief that the Government has departed from the terms of any agreement or undertaking io which it has been, or is, a party. That is not the case. —Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) F. H. D. Bell, for the Prime Alinister."