THE RELIEF DEMONSTRATION

Evening Star, Issue 21099, 11 May 1932, Page 12

THE RELIEF DEMONSTRATION

HUGE GATHERING MARCHES TO PARLIAMENT BUILDING [P*» Ukited Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 10. Lour before midday it became apparent’ ’ bat a relief workers’ strike of serious dimensions was unavoidable. A last-minute effort to induce the men to return to work was made by Mr J. 1. Goldsmith (chairman of the Citizens’ Unemployment Committee), but the refusal of the Unemployment Board to agree to t’ > men’s demands ended anv prospect of jobs being continued. Shortly after 9 a.m. a crowd of about 1 200 assembled at Basin Reserve, ihe majority of the men seemed uncertain as to their position, and waited about until their leaders saw fit to make an announcement. After some delay a representative of the Hataitai relief workers (Mr J. Atkinson) addressed the assembly, and stated that the meeting had been called as a result of the decision to strike made on the previous day. , Forty delegates formed up and proceeded to the Buckle street bureau. At the bureau Mr Goldsmith consented to address the men. He made it clear that he had not asked the deputation to meet him. Earlier that morning, he said, he had met a number ot relief workers, and had informed them that if they returned to work he would receive «x clepiit<ition from idienij and do What he could on their behalf. “ That is the position now, he continued. “ While you proceed m this unconstitutional way 1 will not discuss the position, with you. We want to do what we can for you, and I agree that you have grounds for complaint, but you must go back to work before wo will do anything.” He concluded by promising the delegates that they would not lose time that day, and assuring them that he was in favour of their time for the previous day being made up. . The deputation returned to a mass meeting at 10.30 a.m. in Basin Reserve. Mr Atkinson informed the crowd of Mr Goldsmith’s attitude. It was obvious that a large section was prepared to respond to the appeal, but militant speakers, including one wellknown Communist, talked the moderates into submission. It was decided to adjourn the meeting until 2 p.m. in anticipation of the promised statement by the Unemployment Board. The meeting then adjourned, and the delegates left for various relief jobs to induce those who were still working to come out on strike. UNEMPLOYED BOARD'S STATEMENT Shortly before 2 p.m. the following statement was issued by the Unemployment Board: —“The board has fully considered the representations made by a deputation of fifteen delegates from fourteen relief works about Wellington who wanted the restoration of the old ■scale with the stand-down week and recourse to Hospital Board for sustenance relief. The Unemployment Board is immediately concerned only with relief which it can provide out of its own funds. The new scale of weekly pay rates without the stand-down week is more costly to the board to the extent of £B,OOO a week in respect of the four

main centres and contiguous boroughs, and therefore must confer greater benefit on tho men unemployed. Tho board regrets that it cannot see its way to comply with tho request of the deputation, and therefore the new scale must stand.” ALL OH STRIKE When tho strikers and single unemployed men, together with a generous sprinkling of women, gathered at Basin Reserve in tho afternoon they were upwards of 2,500 strong. It was announced amid cheering that practically all tho remaining workers had gone on strike at midday, and wore marching towards tho city. Tho decision of tho Unemployment Board was announced, and the militant section of tho crowd began to clamour for a demonstration. Mr Atkinson, who was still acting as chairman of tho mass meeting, said he had received a letter from tho mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) inviting a deputation from tho relief worikors to meet him and Mr Goldsmith at the office of the board at 2 p.m., after which the views of the strikers would bo passed on to the Minister. The speakers who followed the chairman would have nothing to do with the mayor’s proposal, -but urged that a demonstration bo made at Parliament House. This idea was accepted enthusiastically, and tho crowd began to form into a long column of fours. By this time it numbered anything up to 3,000 people, and tho less militant leaders, clearly taken aback by the size of tho snowball they had been rolling so industriously throughout the morning, made vociferous appeals for calmness and unity. A strong detachment of police appeared at tho main gates of the reserve when the march began. Tho front ranks were halted by Inspector Lander, in charge of the police, who talked to the leaders. Word was passed round that tlic Minister of Employment would receive a deputation, and the strikers changed their minds, deciding to march direct to Parliament House rather than call on tho mayor and Mr Goldsmith. They agreed to follow the route arranged by the police.