AWARD CONDITIONS
MR. SEMPLE'S VIEWS
The Minister of National Service (Mr. Semple) today emphatically corrected an impression which he said seemed to have gained some currency that during his recent tour of the Dominion he had advocated the tossing overboard of all awards and industrial agreements at the present time. "I never said anything of the kind," continued Mr. Semple. "I would be the last man to say such a thing, because I have been fighting for conditions for the working class as long as I have been able to think.
"What I did say was that if we got into grips with ,the enemy in this country we would have to fight for our lives irrespective of such questions as remuneration. I said that under those circumstances such matters as conditions and rates of remuneration would not come into the picture, and would have to go overboard until New Zealand was saved. If New Zealand went we would be. a nation of slaves anyhow.
"No other statement would be logical. If the enemy invaded our shores and was murdering our people ■it is not likely that any sane man, unless he be an enemy subject, would dare to think about remuneration at a vital time like that. To suggest that I advocated the wholesale abolition of awards at the present time is absurd and. ridiculous."
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 2, 3 January 1942, Page 9
Word Count
226AWARD CONDITIONS Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 2, 3 January 1942, Page 9
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