INTERVIEW WITH OFFICIAL

Northern Advocate, 15 September 1932, Page 6

INTERVIEW WITH OFFICIAL

DISCOURTESY DENIED. REPLY BY MINISTER. (Special to “Northern Advocate.’’) AUCKLAND, This Day. . Replying to the charge of discourtesy, made by Mr. A. S. Richards, M.P., against officials of the Labour Department in Auckland, in that he had been denied an opportunity, of seeing Mr. W. iSlaughter, the officer in charge, the acting-Ministcr, the Hon. A.'Hamilton, states: “I am advised that the officer, in charge was in conference on imiportant business with the deputy chairman of the Unemployment Board, and that consequently you were advised by telephone that an interview would not be possible that day,” the Minister telegraphed. “I am also advised that the men had made no representations to the bureau -before approaching you, - and, further, that their belief that they would be required to stand down -for 14 days was ' erroneous.”

Mr, Richards said he was at a loss to understand the Minister’s reply, as the complaint he had made contained no reference to the men mentioned by Mr. Hamilton. “I have been waiting since last Monday week to get an interview' with Mr. Slaughter on matters concerning my and the visit of the deputy chairman of the board does not affect the matter.” Mr, Richards added that he had fcent a further telegram to the Minister setting out the facts, and stating that the Minister’s instructions w'ere need-

ed to ensure persons receiving reasonable attention at the Labour-Office,