Bitter Labour Attack on Government

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6834, 15 April 1932, Page 7

Bitter Labour Attack on Government

“Only indication of Gathering Storm” PREMIER DECLARES ORDER WILL BE MAINTAINED Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Reference to the Auckland disturbance was made in the House of Representatives to-night. Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes detailed the events and stated that matters were then in hand. Groups of citizens were patrolling the streets, and a constable was accompanying each group. He regretted that in a country celebrated for its observance of law and order such a happening should have taken place. It must be realised that law and order would be maintained, and he appealed to all responsible citizens to assist the police in the execution of their duty. Mr. Peter Fraser: “This is a direct result of the Government’s policy.” Mr. Forbes said the Government had every sympathy with those out of work, and Rt. Hon. J*. G. Coates and the Unemployment Board were doing their utmost with the funds available to provide relief.

The Prime Minister said the unfortunate position was only made worse by disturbances in which the premises of innocent citizens were damaged and trouble caused. Such occurrences would no doubt only alienate the sympathy that had been shown so abundantly throughout the country. It must be realised that the Government was doing everything it possibly could, and it would not tolerate disturbances. Mr. R. Semple: "The people won’t tolerate starvation.” Mr. Forbes said he felt sure the people would get behind the Government in declining to tolerate disturbances of that sort. The leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) said the Prime Minister had taken advantage of the opportunity to mako attacks on a certain section of the community, and was doing so without having the full facts'of the position before him. - Everyone regretted the disturbances and sympathised with those injured, but it would surely be recognised that the trouble was a direct result of the Government’s policy. There was no escape from this, and a direct reversal of the policy was rcciuired. Every policeman and citizen who had suffered injury had done so as a result of the Government’s policy. Labour members had warned the Government that its policy was likely to lead to happenings of this kind. People would not be content to starve amid plenty. Men would not see their women and children starving when there was no shortage of food. Every member on the Labour benches would stand for the observance of law and order, but the law must be such that it operated in the interests of the -whole community. He appealed to tho Government to abandon the policy which was causing disturbances of the kind. What had happened at Dunedin and Auckland was only an indication of the gathering storm. It was only a beginning of the trouble unless the Government took some action.

Mr. Coates said that Mr. Holland had made reference to the condition of those out of work. He pointed out that when the Unemployment Amendment Bill was passed by the Legislative Council there would be additional provision for relief. He alleged that much of the disturbance had been the result of misleading declarations of many —not all —-members of the Opposition. Mr; J. W. Jordan: "That’s unfair.” Mr. Coates reminded members of the Opposition of their responsibilities. Mr. Semple: "You know some of us have tried to keep the men at work.” Mr. Contes: “That’s right.”

Continuing, the Minister said that as far as possible the Government would make provision for increased funds, and if the determination of citizens to cope with the position was maintained the best use would be made of the funds. No one would bo allowed to starve. It was essential that law- and order should be maintained. Mr. Eraser said he wanted to make it perfectly clear that members of the Opposition could accept no responsibility for the present trouble. The attitude of the Labour Party had been that work, or adequate sustenance, must be provided. The present desperate situation was the result of failure to provide adequate sustenance. He was very sorry for what had happened, and its seriousness must bo perfectly clear to everybody. Ho urged the Government to issue a statement that provision v-ould be made so that no human being would go short of food and would not be deprived of shelter from the elements as the result of eviction.

Mr. W. E. Parry said he regretted very much what had happened, but he had to say that it was no more than he had expected. He attributed the whole troublo to the attitude of the Government in the face of the sufferings of the people. The House then adjourned.

To More Arrests in Dunedin TWO FEET OF lEON PIPING AS ' WEAPON Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Last Night. _ Two further arrests were made this afternoon in connection with the uuemplovment disturbance. One man will be charged with breaking the windows of the relief depot on Friday, and the other with being a rogue and a vagabond and with carrying a bludgeon. The weapon comprised two feet of cneincli iron piping. A special meeting of the Hospi’al Board to-day refused to consider a return to the system of issuing chits to tho unemployed, as demanded by the demonstrators. Leonard Daniel Hunter, aged 29, a New Zealander, gave himself up to the police this morning and later appeared at-court charged with inciting lawless- 1 ness. The police said Hunter knew a war---nt was out for his arrest and had

been under cover for twenty-four hours. He was the leader of the unemployed disorders and led the procession to the Hospital Board’s office. He was remanded in custody till Wednesday, with the other six men arrested. yesterday.