UNEMPLOYED MEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21347, 23 November 1932, Page 12

UNEMPLOYED MEN

BEQUESTS TO MINISTERS

SUSTENANCE WITHOUT WORK

"NOT IN BEST INTERESTS"

[BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER]

WELLINGTON, Tucndny

A wide variety of subjects was raised by a deputation from a conference of unemployed workers' organisations, which waited on the Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, and the acting-Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, to-day. The proceedings lasted nearly four hours.

Replying t« a request for releasing the men imprisoned as a result of tlie Auckland and Wellington riots, Mr. Cobbe said tho Courts always took into account the nature of the offences, and although some of tho sentences might have been fairly severe, they were necessary in such times. There was no need for some of the things that happened during tho disturbances, and all tho men charged were given a fair trial. Ho know of no man having been arrested as a vagrant for his political views.

On the question of sentences generally, Mr. Cobbe said that quite a number of terms had already been reviowed by tho Prisons Board. It was not a pleasant matter for any Covernment to have to take the action it did, but law and order had to be maintained.

Mr. Hamilton assured the deputation of tho Government's sympathy in their difficulties, and admitted that unemployment relief measures were probably open to a certain amount of criticism, but they had not failed yet. Ho was willing to consider any suggestions which would make conditions easier.

There was only so much money available and they had to make it go as far as possible, and to give effect to the bulk of the requests mado would mean that the funds would not last long. The main request appeared to be for sustenance without work, provided that work could not be found afc full trade union rates. He did not know,;that that was a very wiso request to make. A Voice: We might as well have it as the farmer.

Mr. Hamilton said the matter could be considered, but lie would say definitely that sustenance without work was not in the best interests of the unemployed. A member of the deputation asked whether the Minister wouid undertake to see that tho 41 workers attending the conference were paid for the work they would otherwise have done. The Minister said that ho could not givo that undertaking at that stage. The instructions given were that unless previous arrangements were made in such cases, men would not bo paid. The end of the gathering was marked by cries that constitutional procedure had failed and the majority of those present sang "The Red Flag," one man saying it was the only hopo the workers had left. The deputation dispersed quietly, without knowing that there were 15 policemen in an adjoining room.