Relief Work Strikers’ Statements Challenged

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7210, 17 July 1933, Page 7

Relief Work Strikers’ Statements Challenged

NATIONAL UNION WILL NOT EL STAMPEDED Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Statements mado at a meeting of relief work strikers at Hastings last Friday arc challenged by the headquarters of tho National Union of Unemployed in Wellington. Mr S. F. Vella (secretary) and Mr D. McLauchlin (treasurer of tho National Union) say tho official figures show small support for the strike. The} state that two delegates from Hawke’s Bay refused an invitation to inspect all tho National Union correspondence relating to the strike. It is alleged that ono delegate demanded immediate national action, threatening to go through New Zealand and ‘‘smash the National Union of Unemployed’’ if action were not forthcoming. Messrs Vella and McLaughlin state that the National Union will not be a party to misleading statements regarding the extent of tho strike. Telegrams giving a false impression of activity in other centres had reached Wellington. This method of arranging action was discouraged by tho National Union. At the meeting at Hastings on Friday .the following resolution was unanimously adopted:— ' “That this mass mooting of relict workers in Hastings, haying been on strike for over a fortnight, and recognising that our delegates have visited the main centres for support in tho struggle, that Wellington is definitely out in support, and that many other centres are preparing to support, wo look upon the statements given to the Press by Mr S. Vella and Mr D. McLaughlin on behalf of tho National Union of Unemployed as misleading, and a deliberate attempt to use a biased Press to weaken tho strike. We emphatically condemn their attitude, and are of opinion that they are noting purely as strike-breakers and against the best interest of the working class.”