HAS DONE HIS PART.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20205, 16 January 1934, Page 7

HAS DONE HIS PART.

Mr J. Connolly Replies to Unemployed. A resolution passed by a meeting of Ashburton unemployed last evening asking that he should resign owing to his failure to obtain greater support for relief workers, was the subject of comment by Mr J. Connolly, M.P., this morning. “ I think that an investigation and an examination of my work during the past two 3’ears will show that I have not been inactive,” declared Mr Connolly. I have done my part in every way possible. If anyone doubts my interest and activity in my w’ork, and the fulfilment of my pledges as stated dunrig my election campaign, then I ask that person to investigate the matter.” Mr Connolly said that onlv yesterdav the Minister .of Employment had stated that it was impossible to increase the allocations for relief workers, taking into consideration the position of the unemployment funds. Consequently it did not appear that these were likely to be increased at present. I think I can safely claim that the AI K.-Canterbury allocation has been as generous as that of ar.v country electorate in New Zealand,” said Mr Connolly. Referring to the passing of the resoMr Connolly said that he believed in freedom of speech and recognised the fact that every section of th e community had a right to voice its opinion, and not least among these were the unemployed. He could quite understand that relief workers who were undergoing severe trials and hardships and had insufficient food, clothing and wages to provide for themselves and their dependents, were entitled to sympathy and support. Yet he realised that they in common had responsibilities, and that others had also. “ I would have expected that they would have investigated the position first, and afterwards having formed their opinion. expressed opinions which would fit the occasion and be just, to those with whom they were dealing,” said Mr Connolly. Mr Connolly said that since he had gone through .so much in his time, and met so man}'- people in a difficult and disturbed state of mind, he could make a great deal of allowance for those who suffered as these relief workers had been suffering. Yet he was aware of the fact that there were others who were suffering to a greater extreme, and they were men who at one time were fellow workmen of those at the meeting.