TRAMPING THE STREETS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20708, 4 May 1929, Page 14

TRAMPING THE STREETS.

COMPLAINTS BY UNEMPLOYED. MEN BECOMING ANGRY. PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY. (Peb United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, May 3. The leaders of the Labour movement, as well as the Government, are being blamed by the unemployed in Wellington, according to statements made during an interview which a deputation had with the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) to-day. “ Tramping the streets is harder than working—much harder—and the unemployed are getting angry about it, even to the extent of blaming us,” declared Mr W. Bromley, secretary of the Trades Hall Unemployed Committee. “ They arc accusing us even of being partners in some mysterious farce that is keeping them in their present position. We know it is rubbish, but we can excuse them because they are desperate. They arc using language they do not understand—language that might get them into trouble.” One of the unemployed present mentioned that some of the men were accusing the Prune Minister of bad faith. “ I am only telling you what they are saying,” he added. “ The problem here is acute and. the'men want to know what you arc going to do. They say that many workers voted for your candidates, because you could tell Coates what to do. They say now that what you told Coates to do you won’t do yourself. I’m only telling you what they say.” * . . The Prime Minister: Wc are doing a great deal more than Mr Coates ever did.— (“ Hear, hear.”) He added that the men employed on public works since the present Government came into office were several thousands more than the number employed by any. Government in New Zealand at the present time of the year. Only last week he had authorised the absorption of several hundred men in Christchurch. Whenever representations had been made the Government had taken action with a view to absorbing the men. It was quite unnecessary to call Parliament together. It could not do any more than the Government was doing. Nearly 3000 more men were now employed on public works. Where that was going to end it was utterly impossible for him to say, although the Government was anxious to help.