A GENERAL STRIKE?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 78, 11 March 1931, Page 5

A GENERAL STRIKE?

LABOUR UNION TALK CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON WAGE REDUCTION OPPOSED WELLINGTON, March .10. Labour Unions in every part of the Dominion were said at to-day's conference ■conveyed by the Alliance of Labour to be. in favour of a general strike in every industry if the Government's proposals to reduce wages are given effect toAlmost every trade union in New Zealand was said to be represented at the conference, which was called by the Alliance to discuss the Government's economic measures and especially the proposal to give the Arbitration Court authority to review awards. The conference was attended by 165 delegates. In all 88,207 worker- were directly represented. The conference had not completed business at the end of the day ami it was decided to meet again to-morrow.

The proceedings were not open to the press, but the secretary of the Alliance, Mr James Roberts, made a short official statement. Delegates present wholeheartedly condemned Mr Forbes' proposal on the ground that in their opinion it was a direction from the money lending interests overseas. The Swages of the workers already were reduced 20 per cent to 50 per cent, through the casualness of employment. "Representatives of the workers present," added Mr Roberts, "stated that when the question was discussed by many unions they were of unanimous opinion that if the Government carried out its threat to reduce wages there should be a general striKe in every industry. The opinion of the meeting was that the workers would rebel against any further lowering of the standard of living. It was pointed out that the proposals would not only reduce wages but would not only reunemployment, as the purchasing of the people would be materially reduced-"