THE ALUANCE AND UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 115, 12 November 1930, Page 10

THE ALUANCE AND UNEMPLOYMENT

(To the Editor.) Sir, —As a casual employee, working on the waterfront, I want to enter a protest against the Alliance of Labour leaders asking that the appointment of the Unemployment Board be postponed. My average weekly earnings for the last three months is 18s 9d, and I want to make application for relief as soon as possible, particularly when the three speakers hold down big pay jobs. But let us examine who constitutes the alliance —five organisations, not representing one-tenth of the workers in New Zealand. The allianec always protests unless the Government bends its kness and allows this body to select their "leaders." The Minister is to be applauded for his stand, and he can-not-alter his method of election after the date of the closing of nominations, stated in his circular. Further, let Mr. Roberts show what is the difference in the present method of election and the one that sent him to Geneva Conference. As a member of the rank and file I want to state that all the employee nominees are all tried and trusted workers in the Labour movement. Will the wellpaid alliance leaders deny this? The alliance does not believe, in political action, yet it is always cap in hand to the Government seeking publicity. Its bark is a thousandfold worse than its bite, and the trade unionists know it. So do the Government. Let Mr. Smith get on with his appointments and help us poor workers who are casually employed, and also unemployed with families to keep. —I am, etc., W. H. SMITH, Watersider.