DEMANDS TO MINISTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 10

DEMANDS TO MINISTERS

BELIEF FOR WOBKLESS

A THREAT TO EJECT

' A number of questions arising out cf the unemployment problem were submitted to tho Minister of Labour this morning by a deputation from the Now Zealand Unemployed Workers' Federation. The Minister of Justice was also present. At times the proceedings, became somewhat heated, and at one stage the Minister of Labour threatened to have one of the speakers ejected. The spokesman, Mr. L. Sim, said they had asked Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., to introduce the deputation, but Mr. Wright had said he could not associate himself with them. The Minister of Labour (the Hon. o. G. Smith) said he was particularly busy.' There was a rule that deputations must be introduced by a member of Parliament, but he was prepared in the' present instance to overlook that. "We demand the repeal of the present Unemployment Act," said Mr. Sim. "You have made some attempt to.alleviate distress, but you have lost sight of the fact that the problem has become more acute than ever you dreamt of." The organisation was ■urging the unemployed workers throughout New Zealand to refuse to pay the third instalment of tho levy. The Government should bring down legislation to include women and children in the operation of the Act. Under present conditions, women were being thrown out on the street. Mr. Smith: "That is not.true." CAPITALISM BLAMED. Mr. Sim: "I have made the statement, and I can back it up. We have concrete instances." Provision should also be made under the Act for boys and girls under 20 years of age. He said they could show proof that there was plenty of money in the country to assist the unemployed. The reserves in the banks amounted1 to £20,000,000. The capitalistic system was in a state of- rapid decline, and as the decline gathered speed so the unemployment position becamo worse. Mr. Turner, assistant secretary of the organisation in Wellington, protested against the eviction of people unable to pay their rent, and gave instances. No one with the slightest intelligence, he said, could uphold what was being done. Proceeding, he made a passing allusion to Russia. Mr. Smith: "Is there no hardship or privations or evictions in Russia?" ''Russia has nothing to do with me," the speaker replied. "I am not interested in Russia. Let Russia look after herself." Mr. Smith: "But you referred to Russia." Mr. Sim: "The finest country in the world to-day." WILL RESIST EVICTION. '- Mr. Turner said that if something was not'done to deal with evictions, he and his fellow workers would do all in their-power to prevent them taking place. Mr. Smith: "A great deal has been done, has it not?" ■ { The speaker said he could not agree with that. He proceeded to complain against the treatment received by applicants to.the Charitable Aid Board, and said ■ that that only bred discontent. ''Don't you think," he asked, "that the Government should do everything in their power to alleviate distress and be men and stand up to. the job ox let someone else take it on?'? "" Mr. Smith: "You will have your opportunity at the next election." Mr. Turner: "If I should vote I am going to vote for myself, because I think my intelligence is just as good— in fact much superior—as that of some of the people we have representing us." He asked the Minister to promise faithfully that people would not be evicted when they could not afford to pay. 'Mr. Murphy (Auckland) said he thought it was a question of amending tjielawto prevent evictions. The Minister of Justice (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) said that evictions were not being encouraged, and the Government was powerless to prevent them at the moment.' Not many evictions were actually taking place, though there were many threats. ■ Mr. Murphy said they had evidence that there were many cases. HONOUR IMPUGNED. .The Minister said that the Labour Department had intervened in dozens of eviction cases. Mr. Murphy: "I can't take your word for that." .'.....■ , Mr. Smith: "Mr. Murphy, I am not going to listen to you any longer if you talk like that." , Mr., Murphy: "I withdraw the remark." ' ~ . Mr. Smith: "I don't want any reflection on, my personal honour." Mr. Murphy said he was not reflecting on the Minister's honour. Mr. Smith: "Then I take it'as a reflection." ■ ■ . . The speaker- said he wanted to know what the Government was goingto do about evictions. They did not object to evictions of people who could afford to pay their rent, but there were many eases where people could not possibly afford to do so. MUST TIGHT IN DEFENCE. Mr. J. Sanford (Wellington) coinplained about the quantity of rations handed out by the Charitable Aid Board, and said that the party in power had'no consideration for tho working masses. The present methods were creating what he termed "a bum psychology." He went on to say that one attempted eviction was resisted by the unemployed in Wellington this morning. As things were going, there would soon be developed in New Zealand tho same conditions as existed in Australia. Men must fight for their existence, and when their conditions were attacked they must fight back in defence of themselves. He cited a case of a returned soldier,.a single man, who had been given by a charitable aid board as rations for a week 61b of bread, 3<>z of; tea, ljlb of sugar, 3s worth of groceries, and 31b of meat. Ho had nowhere to do his cooking, and nowhere to sleep. That was not an isolated case. Unless. Cabinet did something immediately the unemployed would be forced to fend for themselves. By their own strength they would have to force tho Government to act. The operation of the No. 5 scheme •was described by Mr. Neal as "a complete washout." The Government had overlooked the fact that men were laid off work in wet weather. There were definite cases of men who were laid, off work, which was not made up to them. Mr. Smith: "We made provision against that." Mr. Neal: "You made provision, but the City Council have not. I assure you they are not carrying out the instructions. I say that definitely." The speaker asserted that the unemployed were not in a position to pay the levy. T.he Minister of Labour had stated that on off days relief workers could go elsewhere and find work. Mr. Smith: "Yes, and many of them do." Mr. Neal: "Not in tho cities." The Minister: "Yes." Mr. Neal: "Well, they aro very isolated cases." . "IF I STEAL, WHAT THEN?" ' Another speaker, Mr. Perrin, a returned soldier, waved a document and asked tho Minister of Justice how he

was expected to live on 4s 9d a week. "I would like to ask this," he said; "if I stoal, what are you going to do about it?"

Mr. Cobbe: "I am afraid we would have to deal with yoiij but I am sure you won't do that." The speaker gavo details oi! his family and earnings. It' the Minister did not got busy, lie said, there was nothing left for tljose in distress but to go and help themselves. Mr. Smith: "You don't openly advocate wholesale theft, do you?" Mr. Neal: "No, but wo will have to do it through necessity; that is the position you are forcing the unemployed into. You will regret soon that you did not do something for the unemployed workers in that gas house down there" (the House of Representatives). At this stage Mr. Sim demanded of tho Minister of Justice the release of one Brazier, who had been sentenced to two months' imprisonment for participating in an unemployed demonstration. Mr. Cobbe: "No man is imprisoned for merely taking part in an assembly of that kind." Mr. Sim: "We also ask you to deal effectively with evictions." Mr. Smith: "It is already under consideration." Mr. Cobbe said; that Brazier would not be- released unless some good reason could be shown. Personally, he had no power to release him. TWO MASTERS TO SERVE. At this stage Mr. Cobbo apologised for having to withdraw to attend a Cabinet meeting. "We realise that the Minister has two masters to serve," remarked a member of the " deputation as Mr. Cobbe left the room. "He serves best the interests of capitalism." Mr. M'lntyre (King Country) addressed to the Minister of Labour a series of questions. "What does this Parliament intend to do to alleviate the present unemployment?" ho asked. Mr. Smith said that the legislation was not yet finalised. Mr. M'lntyre: "Could you possibly bring us into contact with the three party leaders so that we can get a definite reply?"' Mr. Turner (rising and interrupting): "Why do you Ministers evade a concrete question when it is put to you?" \ Mr. Smith: "Sit down. Now-you have said you are a man of. far superior intelligence to any member of Parliament. '' Mr.' Turner: "I didn't say that." "Sit down when I tell you,'' the Minister ordered. He rang his bell and gave instructions for his messenger t);at there was room for Mr.' Perrin outside. Mr. Murphy: "If he has to go then I am going to leave too." He suggested that the Minister was unjust. Mr. Turner: "I am a British subject and a respectable citizen, and I have the right to voice an opinion when and where I like." He said he objected to being persecuted. He proceeded to give his version of what he had said. 100,000 STARVING? Mr. Perrin remained, and' Mr. ■M'lntyre proceeded. He asked whether the Government would not do something for the 100,000 starving' people in the Dominion. "There are not 100,000 starving," said Mr. Smith. "It does not do.any good to exaggerate. If you can bring me one man who is starving I will fix him up." . .Mr. Perrin: "Yes, I am right here." The Minister noted his name and address, and said he would hand his case to the health authorities. Continuing, Mr. M'lntyro repeated his question about the starving. "What would Jesus do if a man's wife and children were starving?" he asked. As further questions, he asked: "Can this present Parliament or Government do anything for this 100,000? Are they sincere? If so, has the Government the ability? If not, will you resign and let someone else have a go at the job who has the ability?" Mr. Smith: "You/ tell me who the other chap is that can do the job better." Mr. M'lntyre: "We .can." MINISTER IN REPLY. Replying to the deputation, the Minister of Labour said that, perhaps more than anyone else in New Zealand ,he realised the difficulties of the present unemployment situation. Thousands of single men were carrying on under the relief rates, and were carrying on, realising that the country was up against a serious problem. The representations made would be carefully considered, and he would give a written reply to all that had been said. Not one of the speakers had given a practical constructive idea for relieving the position. They said nothing had been done,- but his rdply was that as Minister he had been given. only a certain amount of money to work upon, and the Unemployment Board had had to do the best it could with the limited amount. If the work had been done at union rates of pay it would have lasted only a few weeks. The board had spent £50,000 a week when it was actually receiving only £24,000. It was now spending at the rate of £45,000 a week. The board had done more than it ought io have done with the money at its command. The Government wished to do the best to deal with the position," and wanted Parliament to vote more money. It was a world-wide problem, and no country to-day was without it. • Mr. Sim: "Yes, there is Soviet Russia." Mr. Smith: "Well, there is a boat leaving shortly. I have official documents from Soviet Russia." Mr. Sim: "So have we." ' PARLIAMENT TO SAY. . Referring to Mr. Perrin, the Minister said he was the first man whose name had ever been given to him as starving. With one or two exceptions, he said, the speakers had put their case well. There were one or two things they should not have said. Mr. M'lntyre had sought a direct answer. Well, the answer was that Parliament would have to say whether it approved of the proposals when they were submitted. Thercs were two sides to the eviction question, which was under consideration. No ono with any Christian feelings would agree to the eviction of people who were in distress. A voice: "Most of the cases are coming from the, Public Trust Office." Mr, Smith: "We have stopped that." Tho speaker said he had an instance that had occurred only this morning. In- conclusion, Mr. Smith said that the representations would be placed before Cabinet.