SUSTENANCE POLICY

Evening Star, Issue 21632, 30 January 1934, Page 9

SUSTENANCE POLICY

PREMIER'S STATEMENT BROADCAST labour member protests : 7 tPsK United Press Association.] ■ WELLINGTON, January 29. . A protest against the action of tilt Broadcasting Board in broadcasting al statement handed to the Press by th«j Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes W in defence of the sustenance payment policy of the Unemployment Board! was voiced by Mr R. Semple, M.P.* when speaking as a member of a deputation to-day to the Minister of Employment (Mr A. Hamilton). ‘‘The statement given to the Press, * said Mr Semple, “was read word fot. word by an announcer in Auckland* while I was in that city. Tn than statement the Prime Minister ridiculed! and misrepresented those of us who; have taken exception to ■ this new] scheme. As a matter of fact, the statement was .very unfair, as it suggested! that the people protesting against thai scheme were Communists, and it suggested that the Labour Party was allied with the Communists. It was al political statement, and if I went to the Broadcasting Board and asked to be allowed to make a statement I would 1 be refused. I suggest that if it is right for the Prime Minister to be allowed to give his views over the .air* then it is right for others to be givent that opportunity.” The Minister: The Prime Minister was not speaking himself. Mr Semple: The statement was read by an announcer. Mr J. Roberts: That would improve!

it. Mr Semple; I haven’t got a wire* less set, arid I am not going to get I would not give the Government 80* a year on principle—not while' broad* casting is going to be used for politk cal purposes.