RELIEF WORKERS

Southland Times, Issue 21848, 27 October 1932, Page 5

RELIEF WORKERS

RELATIONS WITH LABOUR. STATEMENT BY PARTY SECRETARY. The following statement has been made by Mr G. Edwards, honorary secretary of the Invercargill branch of the N.Z. Labour Party:— “In replying to Mr Denham’s statement in your issue of the 26th inst Mr Dyer, secretary of the Relief Workers’ Association, has said that I had written to a Labour Party executive member who was also a member of the Relief Workers’ Union executive. This statement is absolutely untrue and I challenge Mr Dyer to prove that any member of the union executive is attached to our executive. However, I do write occasionally to members of oui’ executive and I do hope Mr Dyer will not object because I notice he has withdrawn any objections to intelligent relief workers forming a union. As far as courtesy is concerned one would not expect Mr Dyer to go over the heads of the local branch and write to Mr Thom seeking affiliation and also Mr H. E. Holland's assistance without first consulting the local executive of the party. The Relief Workers' Union is not expected to pay capitation fees to the Labour Party and the ninepence per member is paid by members of the Labour Party only. Every industrial non-unionist contributed towards the defeat of every effort to secure better wages and working conditions. Every additional worker joining a union was an added guarantee and insurance towards all round improved living conditions. It is one hundred and sixty years ago since the first unions were formed but they were considered illegal combinations and men were transported, also suffered in many ways for taking part in them. It was not until 1801 when John Stuart Mill convinced Parliament and the Whigs that the • workers should be allowed to combine in order to obtain better wages and conditions. This privilege has remained for the past 132 years. It cannot be expected, therefore, that Labour will give recognition to an association whose sole aim is to cause a division of Labour’s forces.”