LABOUR MAKES PROTEST

Hawera Star, Volume L, 21 February 1931, Page 5

LABOUR MAKES PROTEST

CABINET’S ECONOMY PLANS WAGE REDUCTIONS RESENTED “MATTER FOR PARLIAMENT. ” (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 20. A deputation representing the Alliance of Labour waited upon the Prime Minister to-day to protest against any reduction in wages, especially those of lower paid men. It was claimed that reduction in the case of men on the lower scale would place an unjust and inequitable burden on their shoulders. The secretary of the alliance, Mi* J. Roberts, said the Government’s recent declaration had come as a bombshell. The Arbitration Court, it might be taken for granted, would follow the lead which had been given by the Government. If that was so there would be many workers who would be unable to meet their obligations in respect of rent and interest, and that would mean the Government would suffer. It was all very well to say the cost of _ living would como down, but rents, insurance and interest would not come down. • ' : '

There had been some talk of equality of sacrifice, but the worker who lost 8s a w 7 eek would suffer more than the higher paid men. It would simply mean he and his family would have to go with less food. The workers were being made the victims of banking and financial . institutions. Mr Roberts said he had been told at Home the people there were going to demand that New Zealand should agree to a lower standard of living, but the workers of this country were eoing to resist anv such action. “We elect our own Governments here.” said Mr Roberts, “and we will not be dictated to by any financial institu- 1 tions. The workers have not been consulted, and the only thing left for us to do is to call representatives of the workers together. We are meeting in conference on March 10. Although I am not making a threat, in my opinion no union secretary can do anything else but advise his men not to accept reductions. If the workers do accept reductions they will simply be telling the people of New Zealand they are willing to accept a lower standard of living.” Mr Forbes said he realised that the workers regarded any reduction of wages as a serious matter, but there were two sides to every question. In the first place, he desired to say definitely there was no dictation from money-lenders or from any outside country. The simple position was that ■ the country’s accounts had been placed before him as Minister of Finance and he had to decide what steps should be taken. He had found himself up against the solid economic fact that the income of the Dominion had been reduced by £20,000,000, and it was absurd to say in view of that that the country could carry on in the same way. He could not understand the deputation saying his announcement had come as a bombshell, for the workers must have seen that a reduction would have to be brought about sooner or later. “We are suffering from an economic crash,” said Mr Forbes, “and we are faced with the absolute necessity of taking certain measures, however unpleasant they may be, to counter that crash.” The workers apparently did not consider there would be a reduction in the cost of living, but he believed a reduction in wages would be reflected by a drop in the cost of living. Mr Roberts : That was not the case in 1921.

Mr Forbes: The slump of 1921 was nothing compared with the present depression. We all know the position of the sheepfarmers to-day. I believe this country can’t stand up to the wages it has been paying in the past. You must know high wages mean unemployment. A voice: Question ? Mr Forbes : A man can only employ a certain number of men under present conditions. I have stated, what I believe to be necessary in the interests of the country, and it is for Parliament to say whether my proposals shall he adopted. Mr Roberts: You have put forward some excellent propaganda. . Mr Forbes: The Government is m a minority. If I was looking at the position from a nolitical point of view do you think I would have made such proposals P So far as the wages of the workers are concerned. _ that is a matter for the Arbitration Court and I have no right to suggest anything to the court. “I regret you have seen lit to taice up such an attitude, because I believe mv programme will lie in the best interests of the workers in the long run. However; the matter is for Parliament to decide.” , ~ Mr Roberts; I hope they don t adopt vour programme. Mr Forbes: That is for Parliament to say.