“VOICE OF MOSCOW”

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 50, 22 November 1930, Page 12

“VOICE OF MOSCOW”

Communist Silenced VIEWS OF UNEMPLOYED “Offensive Suggestions” The interjections of a Communist received short shrift from a deputation of unemployed, which waited upon three Cabinet Ministers yesterday. There were about 250 men in the large supper room in the old wing of Parliament House, and although it was made clear that many of them were in extreme poverty, they gave a courteous hearing to the Government representatives, and they were appreciative Qf the difficulties to be faced in coping with the situation. It was shown clearly that the deputation to a man was not willing to subscribe to the Communistic attitude which one member of that party tried to intrude when the Minister of Public Works, Hon. W. B. Taverner, was speaking. The Minister said he had been able that morning to arrange to place 200 men at Nelson and Stratford, and that that work would keep them in jobs for from four to six months. “At what rates of pay?” asked a man sitting near the front. “At ordinary rates,” the Minister replied. “Yes, but at standard rates or ‘scab’ relief rates?” the interjector asked. “We pay no ‘scab’ relief rates,”, the Minister replied emphatically. Vigorous Disclaimer. Mr. R. Semple, M.P., who had introduced the deputation, and who was accompanied by other Wellington Labour members of Parliament, stepped to the table. “I want you to understand, Sir,” he said to the Minister, “that offensive suggestions of that kind do not represent the voice of the men here to-day. That is the voice of Moscow.”

The remark was greeted by loud and prolonged applause, which effectively prevented the interjector from speaking for some time, but when it subsided the man next to him said: “You do not like the Moscow' whip, Semple.” Mr. Semple later returned to the attack and received the unqualified support of those who were seeking the Government’s help. In thanking the Ministers for their attentive hearing he also thanked the deputation for the manner in which its members had conducted themselves. Ha said they all appreciated the task with • which the Government was faced and they had not brought the deputation in any dictatorial attitude. (Hear, hear.) It was their aim to seek work for those who would work, and he said they had no time for the man who had typified his type with a sneering remark when the Minister of Public Works was speaking. Builders, Not Wreckers.

“We do not represent the sneering type,” Mr. Semple said. “We represent the serious-minded in this city and we are prepared to join with any Government or institution, not to wreck or smash but to build. (Applause.) That represents the sentiments and principles that spring from the heart of the British subject, not the instructions sent from some country by some traitor who attempts to exploit the people of New Zealand. These men here are builders, not wreckers.”

The members of the deputation showed their support for the views expressed by loud applause.