CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 68, 17 September 1930, Page 12

CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE

COMMUNISTS BLAMED

LABOUR MEMBERS' STATEMENT

The following statement was handed to "The Post" this afternoon on behalf of the four Wellington Labour members of Parliament, Messrs. R. M'Keen, E. Semple, C. H. Chapman, and P. Fraser:

The four Labour members of, Parliament for Wellington agree in regretting the result of last night's meeting called by the Mayor for the purpose of promoting a public appeal for relief of those suffering from unemployment. It is clear that tlie opposition which was responsible for such a foolish decision was organised from what is recognised as the headquarters of tho Communist group, ami was not really representative of the hundreds of workers at present unemployed in AVcllington. The public should get that fact clear beyond dispute.

The promoters of the organised group at.tho meeting lust evening- have been already responsible for fi. series, of futile and even pitiful efforts at demonstration, which have, as far as they hsi-ve had any effect at all, injured rather than assisted the cause of the unemployed, and their latest effort last evening seems the culmination of futility as far as the interests of the men, women, and children suffering from the effects of unemployment, are concerned. The Labour members agree, and those of them who are City Councillors have strongly advocated that all works already approved should be commenced and pushed ahead immediately, and that everything possible should be done by every available means to absorb in employment the men who are at present unemployed. It is a principle of the Labour movement that relief works should be carried on under the wages and conditions of industrial awards or agreements. Further, along with the whole of organised Labour in Wellington, the Labour members have strongly urged, and will continue to urge, that full advantago should be taken by the City Council of the generous subsidy offered by the Government for relief works.

They consider that action by the City Council on the lines indicated would be the most effective means of dealing with the present unemployment problem, which is causing such widespread misery and privation. They feel that if such steps were taken tho situation might be met without recourse to a public appeal. However, the City Council, elected by tho people of Wellington, has decided otherwise, and in the face of that decision the only possible courre for those anxious to help to mitigate and improve the present and immediate position prevailing as a result of unemployment is to support the Mayor's appeal for funds. It is to be hoped that the Mayor will go on with his fund and that the citizens of Wellington will respond in a most generous fashion.

The attitude of tho Trades Council in placing alternative proposals before the meeting was a perfectly reasonable course, and could not be objected to. Those who apparently demonstrated their foolish pleasure at the temporary frustration of any effort on behalf of the unemployed are in no way associated with the Trade Union movement or Labour Party.