Workers & the Unemployment Board

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 51, 24 November 1930, Page 13

Workers & the Unemployment Board

Commenting on what he describes aS “all this bluff, protesting and letting off of steam” in connection with the attitude of the Alliance of Labour concerning the appointment 'of workers’ representatives on the Unemployment Board, “Old Unionist’’ suggests that it is high time the workers of New Zealand thought for themselves instead of allowing high-paid officials to do the thinking for them. The trouble, he adds', is that some of these individuals simply run the concern instead of the rank and file having a say. “Mr. Roberts,” the correspondent continues, “says that it is letters of the kind of ‘Old Unionist’ that create disunity in the Labour movement. In reply. 1 beg to differ. One has only to read Mr. Roberts's recent letters and the way be refers to the Trades Hall leaders for proof of the cause of dissension. Those two organisations have been at loggerheads more or less for a considerable time and the movement instigated by the Alliance will only widen the breach. Tn conclusion, I desire to inform Mr. Roberts that I am not in the habit of frequenting the ‘Temple of Science,’ or more correctly the Trades Hall. Ido not wish to rub shoulders with either the Trades Hall or Alliance officials. 1 have the same respect for one as the other. In my opinion they are all alike.”