PREMER TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DESTITUTION

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVIII, Issue 12, 11 June 1926, Page 5

PREMER TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DESTITUTION

UNJUST BARGAIN WITH THE HELPLESS.

unconscionable attempt to lower wages.

Per Pres» Association

DUNEDIN, Juno 11. A meeting of the Otago' Labour Council condemned the Premier’s proposal to employ men at under award rates, stating: “We protest emphatically against the right of any authority or 1 any official to override the decisions 'of the Arbitration Court, even under the pretence of relieving distress. ' Furthermore, we regard as particularly rcpresensiblo the Premier’s unconscionable attempt to take advantage of the destitution, which has been rendered more acute by bis owii disorderly immigration policy, to drive an unjust bargain with the innocently helpless and unfortunate. We refuse to believe that the people of New Zealand wish to be made partners in a practice of tliis kind, which can be regarded only as a flagrant abuse of power.” MEETING AT PALMERSTON. PALMERSTON N, June 11, A meeting was held this morning at the request of the Prune Minister iur Nasn, M.P., presiding, to consider means of relieving the unemployment position iocafiy, which is very acute.

T.he Labour Department Inspector reported .that there were in town Ido married men with dependants totalling 438 out of work as well as 37 single men. Of those totals there were 30 distressed cases, affecting 123 dependants.

After discussion on local measures of relieving the position a committee was set up to lind employment in town and select deserving eases for engagement.

ft was decided to send th© following resolution to Mr Coates: “That we view with alarm the amount of unemployment in Palmerston Nortn, and .consider that as the railway works hero have been commenced and constitute a work of a productive nature, a remedy is easily available by providing more work on the deviation in order to absorb as far ag possible, all local unemployed.’ 1.