AN APPEAL TO WAGEWORKERS

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 96, 23 April 1917, Page 8

AN APPEAL TO WAGEWORKERS

BY MR. W. A. VEITCH, M.P,

Interviewed at Wanganui, Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P., said:—" Speaking as a representative of Labour, I would like to make tin appeal to all wage-workers throughout the Dominion to make loyalty to King and Empire the'first plank in our platform. It must not be forgotten that we who are staying at home are not entitled to speak on our own behalf alone, but should rather, in discussing war matters, consider the needs of our comrades, %vho are doing the fighting and enduring privations that we may work and live at home in safety.

" This strike, which is said to be against the Military Service Act, will materially increase the cost of living to the great mass of workers throughout the Dominion, and will prevent their wives having fuel to use in connection with> the preparation of their children's food. Furthermore, it will force unemployment and consequent want on many who are willing to work and are entitled to do 'so. While, therefore, workers are en- I titled to speak on their own behalf, they I are not privileged to force unemployment on others. . \ !

"Those intimately, concerned should also remember that, while 'they may undoubtedly have the power at pre^ sent 'to seriously hamper the

affairs of the Dominion, no permanent benefit can accrue to Labour, because such conduct will build up a public feeling of distrust, against Labour, and, vvill only hamper' any efforts that are made to secure much-needed reforms in Parliament.