N.Z. LABOUR PARTY DECIDES ON PLAN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 145, 20 June 1931, Page 11

N.Z. LABOUR PARTY DECIDES ON PLAN.

WILL TRY TO REDUCE THE RATES OF INTEREST. Per Press Association. • WELLINGTON, June 20. The national executive of the New Zealand Labour Party met yesterday. Some forty candidates have already been nominated to contest various electorates, and arrangements are under way for the selection of further candidates in both the North and the South Islands. The announcement that the Government had abandoned the idea of suspending the No. 5 scheme was welcomed, and it was decided that, whilst its continuance was essential, it was totally inadequate to provide food and other necessities. New methods must be introduced under which more productive work would be undertaken and opportunity given both married and single men to increase their earnings. It was 4 e cided that at the earliest opportunity the party would take steps to bring about a reduction of all interest rates. The Wellington Trades and Labour Council this week carried the following motion: —“ That this council enters an emphatic protest, against the Prime Minister’s repeated statement that the cost of living has been reduced and urges that he should take immediate and effective action to bring down the cost of living to compare more favourably with the reduced wages now being paid to workers, thereby making his oft-repeated statement of equality of sacrifice a statement of fact.” Act Condemned.

Matters of policy and organisation were considered by delegates to the annual conference of the New Zealand Workers’ Union yesterday, and a resolution was carried condemning the Unemployment Act, as at present constituted and administered. The opinion was expressed that the Act was increasing unemployment, breaking down union conditions and operating generally against the interests of workers. The Government was criticised for its refusal to allow Public Works men to state their case before an independent tribunal, and it was agreed that immediately an opportunity presented itself an endeavour should be made on behalf of the men. Delegates pledged themselves to work in their districts to assist in bringing about a change in Government.

It was decided to pursue an organising policy during the coming year amongst agricultural and pastoral workers and Public Works employees and to protect the interests of”the organisation’s membership to the fullest extent.

SCHEME TO HELP UNEMPLOYED GIRLS

KITCHENS TO BE OPENED FOR COOKING OF MEALS.

Employment for a number of women and girls who are out of work will be provided as a result of the efforts of a sub-committee of the Women’s Unemployment Committee. It has arranged for the opening of two kitchens where meals will be prepared and served to the unemployed at a small charge. Some difficulty was experienced at first in finding suitable premises, but the vestry of St John’s Church, Latimer Square* offered the free use of its schoolroom, which has a kitchen attached, and Toe H has offered the sub-committee the use of the kitchen at its premises in Chester Street.

The girls employed at the kitchens will be paid for their services and will also be able to obtain one good meal a day at a small charge. A teacher of cooking who is at present out of employment, will be in charge of the kitchens and she will give instruction to the girls. Several offers of equipment have been received, but more is required. A gas stove for use in one of the kitchens has been lent by Miss M. Trent, and the Electricity Committee of the Christchurch City Council has been approached with a view to granting free use of one of its largest stoves.