THE WAGE CUTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 9, 11 July 1934, Page 12

THE WAGE CUTS

CONFERENCE MOOTED

LABOUR SUGGESTION

i Further discussion on unemploy- , nient in Parliament is useless and '. is not favoured by the Labour .Party, according to a statement made by the Leader of the Op- ; position, (Mr. M. J. Savage) to- , day, when his attention was called by a "Post" representative to the resolutions passed at a meeting of citizens in Auckland last night. Mr. Savage announced that an endeavour was being made by Labour organisations to induce the Government/to call a conference of representatives of employers and labour bodies for the purpose of bringing' about a general: restoration of wage and salary cuts, which would include those working under relief conditions. • Mr. Savage- satisfaction 'at the interest taken by Auckland citizens in-the endeavour to obtain some relief for the : people, but the request that Parliament should devote the time saved by shortening tho Address-in-Eeply debate to discussing the unem-ployment-problem surprised him. "Wo would have discussed that on the Address-in-Keply debate, as we did on the Imprest Bill, but we preferred that the Government should have an opportunity of dealing with the matter rather than listening to speeches about it," he added. "The matter has been discussed every session for the last four years or more; we have delayed other business in order to discuss unemployment; we moved a series of resolutions in 1930 in an endeavour to provide for tho needs of the people, t>ut each was'defeated. The Mayor and other prominent citizens of Auckland stressed the position to the Minister of Employment when he was recently in that city, and pleaded for action, but there lias••iteeh no Tesult. The policy of the Government is being administered, the case is not against Parliament as a whole, but against the Government and its policy. . .

"We know that the people are not satisfied, and that/ they are suffering hardship. No -effort is being made to absorb the people in industry, nor to supply their wants. Wo know that this-Dominion; will''supply all that our people' need arid that there could be comfort in the homes of the people. We know that the. people if given the opportunity will appoint a Government that will make it possible for the Dominion to enjoy the blessings that are to hand. My reply, and that of those with Tvhom * a.m associated, is that it is useless to further waste time in discussion, but the Government should be called upon to deal with 'the situation immediately, as well as be condemned for having failed to do so earlier. It should be instructed to deal satisfactorily, with the matter before the term for which it was elected expires, as it promised to do in 1931, and then, as it is the concern of the people, and not of certain .individuals,'; the Government and Parliament as a'whole should submit the affairs to the people at an ordinary , election; that opportunity be given to elect those who are able and willing to deal with the situation.

"We are surprised that, having curtailed discussion in order that tho unemployment situation may be dealt with, we are advised to waste timo in informing the. Government of the position, -with which it is so well acquainted. However, we are pleased that the meeting was held, as it is a strong indication that the people demand that something effective should bo done immediately to relieve the suffering people from the unwarranted hardship which they are experiencing." -