UNEMPLOYED WORKERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 285, 30 October 1928, Page 6

UNEMPLOYED WORKERS.

UNFAIR CHARGES REFUTED. WAGE REDUCTION QUESTION. “May I say something on a matter which is more congenial to you chaps—unemployment,” retorted Mr- J. A. Nash to a body of interjectors durYg his political address at the Opera House last night. £ “I am afraid unemployment will always be with us,” stated Hr Nash. “It has caused the Prime Minister a great deal of concern—(loud laughter) -r-during the past two years. The usual number of men employed by the Public Works Department is about 8000. Last year and this it reached 14,000. In a large measure this position has been brought about through strikes, and as long as the agitator exists, it will continue. “Recently, the flaxmillers were unable to carry on. -Owing to the low price of flax, the men were asked to work for 13s 6d per day and were not allowed to do so. I appealed to the Prime Minister to call a conference, which he did, with the result that the men resumed work, after being away some months. Immediately the Labour Party charged the Prime Minister with reducing wages. This was very unfair after all that he had done to bring about a settlement. Were they to go on adding to the number of Public Works employees, and was the State to become the sole employer?” asked Mr Nash. His experience had been that the honest toiler would accept relief work or employment of any nature when he was “up against it.” Where relief works were carried on, it was usual, after the first fortnight, to give contracts, and reports showed that, in many cases, men earned up to 25s per day. . “The State last year spent £300,000 in relief works, and in subsidising local bodies,” added Mr Nash. “I do not and have never advocated paying a man less than the basic wage. People cannot starve, and the Government is to be commended for helping them even with relief works. Ido not wish to say anything about my personal efforts for the unemployed, but my sympathy and work stand. It is a great pity that the Labour Party, which objects to relief wages, does not take more interest in the men, and find them work.”

A voice: On nine bob a day? Another voice: Are you going to give us six bob - a day? Mr Nash: Some of you are not worth 3s. (Applause.) The candidate reiterated that the Prime Minister spent a whole day. trying to arrange an agreement with the flaxworkers, and his statement was greeted with laughter. “It was a longer day than, many of you work,”’ added Mr Nash to the incredulous section of the audience