WELLINGTON SOUTH

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 304, 18 September 1943, Page 9

WELLINGTON SOUTH

Al Happy Valley. Mr. E. B. Toop (National) again claimed that the Labour Party was Labour in name only. It. could not claim even to ho legislating for what it was pleased to call the working class. Its legislation was purely sectional ami in the interests of the vested interests of big bosses and big industry. This was substantiated, said Mr. Toop. by the treatment of Post, and Telegraph employees, many of whom were worse oil now than during the depression. During that period the lowest, paid employees were those on £240 a year, the only deduction being superannuation, and- the worker was able to take £-1/7/- home with, him. Today, in spite of what, Mr. Webb had said, the lowest paid were on only £250 a year, from which must be deducted both superannuation and social security, leaving £3/19/3 to lake home. Tie had to conf end with greatly increased prices, and though he paid ' for social security, he could not receive any age benefit.' This class of worker included storemen, linesmen, postmen ami exchange operators all with many years of service, while there were many skilled tradesmen on £285 a year* worse ofl than they ever were. In such circumstances, how could the Labour Party claim to