LABOUR AND THE R.S.A.

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 54

LABOUR AND THE R.S.A.

EMPLOYMENT ON RELIEF WORKS. VIOLATION OF PEACE TREATY. On behalf of the Otago branch of the Now Zealand Workers’ Union, the president (Mr J. lb. MacManusJ and the scoretary (Mr S. Bcrchuni) have forwarded to the Dominion Conference of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, now sitting in Dunedin, a communication, which at the outset welcomes the president and delegates to Dunedin, j lie letter then goes on to state that the New Zealand Workers’ Union is a non-political body, being a trade union composed of country workers. “We therefore hope to see land setllenient proceed on lines that will enable fair conditions of labour to 'he maintained. I‘or this reason, and because the farm worker of to-day is the farmer of the future, we are interested in your work. Many of our members aro returned soldiers. We are therefore prepared to cooperate with you in any action you might take to induce ihe Government to remove the difficulties of soldier settlers who have been placed on land which was resumed at inflated values and equipped and stocked at abnormal prices. “We also beg to remind you that many of your members are unemployed, and are being placed on relief works at less than tiie current rate of pay. “We believe this is a violation of the Peace Treaty, the Labour charter of which specifically lays down that Labour shall not be regarded as a commodity. ‘‘We know that in this country the sentiment to provide work is so great, and the opportunities are so vast, that there should be no need for violating the peace Treaty by starting relief works on a commodity basis. We respectfully remind you that when the seasonal occupations were in full awing—such as shearing, harvesting, freezing works, etc. the Government carried out its public works policy; but when these seasonal occupations closed down the Government intensified the unemployed problem by reducing the number of men employed. In February 5516 men were employed, while in April 4741 were employed, or a reduction of 775 in two months. “We therefore suggest, that you might induce the Government and the local public bodies to recognise the peculiar conditions of New Zealand’s industrial life, and carry on their public works where practicable during the slack season of the year.”