UNEMPLOYMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19803, 31 May 1926, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT.

PRIME MINISTER CRITICISED. LABOUR OFFICIALS VIEWS. ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO LOWER WAGES. (Pee United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, Way 29. Mr P. Butler, organiser of the Unemployed Union, commenting on the Prime Minister’s reply to the unemployed at Auckland, says: “Ministers have put forward a few ambiguous promises on relief, but have not yet ottered anything for the unemvloyed to take or refuse. Surely Mr Coates is suffering from a severe attack of nerves when he suggests that, because men ask for employment at trade union rates of pay, they are dictating to the Government.’ He continued: “Mr Coates’s talk is eyewash and but a cloak to hide the unpreparednesa of the which is the more to be condemned in view of his exhorting everyone a few months ago to be prepared for bad times ahead.” Mr W. Bromley, secretary of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, said today. “If Mr Coates means that it is the Government’s policy to continue fringing out 'mmigrants in large numbers without proper provision having been made for placing them in employment, and then using the unfortunate unemployed (both the arriving immigrants and those out of jobs at the present time) for reducing the standard of wages—and it would appear from his statement that that is the Government’s intention —I feel quite sure that such a policy will be resisted by the whole of the labour movement in New Zealand.” WAYS AND MEANS. —t — A REPRESENTATIVE CONFERENCE. (Pee United Frees Association.) AUCKLAND, May 29 The Prime Minister, realising that the unemployed problem must be tackled quickly, is calling an immediate conference to consider ways and means, the personnel to include representatives of city councils, the New Zealand Natives’ Association, the R.S.A., and the Labour Department. It will be presided over by himself. WELLINGTON PARLIAMENTARIANS. CONFERENCE WITH MR COATES REQUESTED. (Pee United Press Associat.-n.) WELLINGTON, May 29. Unemployment was discussed to-day by a meeting of the Wellington members ot Parliament convened by Sir John Luke. It was decided to send the following telegram to Mr Coates: ‘The Wellington members of Parliament, jointly with Mr W. H. Field, M.P. for Otaki, are desirous of interviewing you at the earliest possible moment in reference to unemployment in Wellington City and district. We are confident that the Government contemplates putting in hand public works, and respectfully suggest that an interview will promote conditions that will relieve the present depression.” The telegram was signed by Sir John Luke and Messrs Fraser, M'Keon, and Forsyth.