LABOUR’S PLEA

Evening Star, Issue 21116, 31 May 1932, Page 8

LABOUR’S PLEA

AMELIORATION OF UNEMPLOYED'S PLIGHT MINISTER STRESSES GOVERNMENT'S DESIRE TO PROVIDE “WE GAN DO THE JOB " A deputation from the Otago Labour Representation Committee, comprising Messrs J. W. Munro, M.P., F. W. Tones, M.P., Mesdames Herbert and Don, Messrs M. Silverstone, J. Robinson, R. Harrison, and W. G. Baird, waited on tiro Minister of Agriculture (Hon. C. E. Macmillan) this morning to place before him various aspects of the unemployment problem. Mr R. M'Kecn, M.P-, also accompanied the deputation, which was introduced by Mr Munro, as representing the organised Labour movement of Dunedin. The first speaker was Mr Mark Silverstone, who said the deputation had not come for the purpose of criticising the policy of the Government, to which they were entirely opposed; but now that the policy was in operation they desired to see it administered as humanely as circumstances would permit. They appreciated the difficult nature of the problems facing the Government. The speaker went on at length to describe the hardships of the unemployed, and the distress and suffering among women and children. He claimed that the new unemployment scheme would leave tne unemployed and dependents in a move desperate position than ever, and that the rigours of winter would make life well-nigh intolerable for many.* It was clear that the Government would have to do much more. A much greater measure of relief would have to he given to prevent a revolt. Owing to the insecurity with which the unemployed were faced it was suggested that the Government should pay the rent for the unemployed, as it was clear it could not be paid out of the meagre earnings on relief work. The psychological side of the question was also important, and people, through having to accept relief in. the way of food and cast-off clothing, were in danger of losing their self-respect. Owing to the unemployment conditions New, Zealand was being turned into a rebel camp. The speaker concluded with an appeal that more should bo done for unemployed women, who should be provided for adequately out of taxation.

Mr J. Robinson, the other speaker of the deputation, urged that the allowance to relief workers should be increased, as at present it was impossible for them to. live without outside assistance. He quoted the rates paid under the now scheme, and said the workers were hardly any better off than before. It had been said by Ministers that it would be most unwise for the Government to make relief works too attractive, because, if that wore done, the relief workers would never leave them for private employment. That argument was scarcely tenable, because relief work was the only kind of work that was offering to thousands of people, and it was tho only kind of work that ever would be available to many of them. It was believed that the" Government should provide the' unemployed with suitable footwear and clothing, and that if any military stores wore available they should bo given to the unemployed. It was cruelty to send men to camps in the South Island in winter time it they were not properly clothed. It was also suggested that the Government should provide means of conveyance to distant relief works, and it was further suggested that firewood froin the State plantations should be provided for the unemployed. THE MINISTER’S REPLY, The Minister, in the course of his reply, said the Government had one thing in common with the deputation—a desire to ameliorate the conditions of those in distress. It might have been insinuated that tho Government was callous, hut he could assure them at once that such was not tho case. Ho could safely say that the Government was diametrically opposed to the methods that had beou suggested of meeting the position. It was a question of whose methods were the best. Ho did not think it would bo found that the people of the electorates of the members of the Government held them in contempt as to business ability or as to humane qualities. The Government said that the methods suggested by their opponents would put the country in a worse condition than it was at present. It was claimed that everyone had to make a sacrifice, and that charges had to bo reduced in between tho handling of tho raw product and the use by the consumer. In reply to interjections, the Minister said it was the object of the Government to produce an equality of sacrifice. The farming community a large section of it at least—had had to accept not a 10 or a 20 per cent, reduction, but as much as a 60 per cent, reduction, and had to work the whole time. The unemployed were in the position that, if they got nothing, at all events they did not work. He could assure them that there were hundreds and hundreds of farmers who were working for less than nothing. They were toiling for ten and fourteen hours a day, and at the end of twelve months were in debt. They were living on the accommodation they were getting from others. That was what was keeping the country going. The farmers had supplied tho needs of New Zealand with an equal weight of stuff since 1929, and had accepted sis millions less for doing it. Tiie farmer had not done that single-handed, but with the aid of the people from whom he had borrowed the money. If they had not exactly got equality of sacrifice they were nearly approaching it. Costs in between the raw product and manufacture had to be reduced to give real value to the public. The Government bad been offered a largo quantity of beef in the North Island, but the farmers had said that, by the time the costs in between were met, the Government could not buy it. The Government had made every effort—the Labour members knew that was the case—to make the relief of unemployment a national undertaking. At the present time there were some people who were getting too much and some who were getting too little. The Hon. Mr Coates was trying to put that on an equitable footing. They asked their opponents to help, and not to hinder them in their efforts. He admitted that it was difficult to ask people to be patient. He only hoped that tho statements of the deputation were exaggerated, though he was extremely sorry for the conditions .that existed. Ho did not know much about the cities, but he knew that in the smaller towns the position was not so bad. Ho would, however, submit what had been put before him to Cabinet. The Minister asked them not to talk about “ slave camps.” It was farcical to talk like that. Let them give the Government, a. fair chance.

A member of the deputation: We have.

The Minister: I eannot admit that. 1 eannot say wc have bocii given a fair

chance. There are dozens of people working under worse conditions. A Voice: Where? The Minister: On farms. There are people working under extremely bad conditions, and are happy. In reply to Mr Silverstone, the Minister said Ke thought that part of the solution of our troubles would bo reached when it was made attractive for people to go into the country. It was hoped that the proposal to settle people on small blocks which was now under way would help considerably. “I can assure you that we are entirely sympathetic,” concluded Mr Macmillan. “We consider we can do the job. Not only cau wo do the job, but wo will do it