STRIKE OF UNEMPLOYED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21990, 27 June 1933, Page 8

STRIKE OF UNEMPLOYED

RIVER DIVERSION SCHEME TWO THOUSAND MEN INVOLVED (Feb United Press Association.) HASTINGS, June 26. Owing to disapproval of the Hawke's Bay Rivers Board's decision to carry out preliminary work in connection with the river diversion scheme with unemployed labour, the Hastings, Napier, Taradale, and Clive unemployed decided this morning to call a general strike. It is probable that the unemployed of Waipukurau and Waipawa, who are affiliated with the local men as the Hawke's Bay branch of the newly-formed national organisation, will also join in the strike. Pickets were put on the Rivers Board jobs this morning and all board work was declared "black." The men made a request this morning that those allocated to Rivera Board jobs should be given other work, and the decision to call a general strike followed upon refusal to consider that request. The men's contention is that, as the Rivers Board's scheme is essential work, the men employed on it should be paid award wages and given full time. Mr Chris. Lassen, on behalf of the Rivers Board, explained at a meeting of the men this morning, that the Government granted only £IOOO , for the preliminary work, and that the Rivers Board had no money to enable it to accede to the men's request. Negotiations are now proceeding. In the meantime all relief work iin the Hastings and Napier district has ceased. Probably 2000 men are involved. A DETERMINED ATTITUDE WHOLE PROVINCE AFFECTED. (Pee United Press Association.) NAPIER, June 26. A general strike of unemployed on all relief jobs has been declared throughout the Hawke's Bay district. At a meeting held in Napier to-night it was decided unanimously that, instead of adopting passive resistance, every means would be employed to see that there were no "blacklegs" unemployed to' maintain the rjver diversion work, should it be carried out under conditions of full time and standard rates of wages. The relief workers have made an appeal to business men throughout the district which concludes with the following words:—"We are confident that you will not allow our wives and children to go hungry whilst we are fighting for better conditions.*' Speakers at one of the several meetings held throughout the day said that, so far as national action was concerned, he did not know what advice the local organisation would give to the National Council. It would be foolish to "stage an explosion" at present, but there was no doubt that when serious action was taken the public would be sympathetic not only in Hawke's Bay but throughout New Zealand. , >