RIGHT TO STRIKE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23036, 13 May 1938, Page 12

RIGHT TO STRIKE

RELIEF WORK DISPUTE grievances ventilated MINISTER'S STAND RESENTED [BY telegraph —PRESS ASSOCIATION J CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday Some questions about the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. It. Semple, and the rights of relief workers to a redress of their grievances, were asked when Mr. T. H. McCombs, M.P , met the men who had walked off the Governor's Bay road job. Ihe men had grievances about work and payment on wet days, and about general conditions on the job. , , "We have been waiting 11 weeks to get something done, and we have gone through all the constitutional channels, from the foreman to the highest, authorities." a spokesman told Mr. McCombs. "What was there left to do hut to go on strike?" j "You know Mr. Semple does not liold with strikes and will not look favourably on the claims of men who do strike," said Mr. McCombs. Minister's Example Tho Spokesman: Yes, but when we strike we are following in Mr. Semple s footsteps. .. Another Worker: it's all very well for Mr. Semple. He is on top now was different when he was a worker, to °- , x. L Mr. McCombs: You know what happens to men who indulge in attacks on Mr. Semple. Voices: But he called relief workers "scroungers." What right has he to call us all that because of one or two? Mr. McCombs: You won't take your case any further by going into history. Voices: But isn't that exactly what politicians do? Another Voice: Well, we've gone through all the constitutional channels. What shall we do? Write to the King? Work Under Protest Mr. McCombs: If you go through all constitutional channels and are refused by the final authority, then there can be no redress. Voices: But what did we elect Mr. Semple for? Mr. McCombs: Well, you can put us out, but then see what will happen to you. To that the men made no answer. They were willing to accept Mr. McCombs' suggestion that they should go back to work, but under protest. They told Mr. McCombs they had no dispute with him, but failed to see why they should not enjoy the conditions allowed to other workers. . . Mr. McCombs promised to visit the job and investigate it himself.