UNEMPLOYMENT

Wairarapa Daily Times, 18 January 1932, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT

TWO DEPUTATIONS. Two large deputations of unemployed, one orderly and anxious to co-operate with the Government in its efforts to give the fullest possible assistance during a difficult time, and the other, headed by Communists, hostile and uncompromising, were received by the Minister in Charge of Unemployment, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and the Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young, in the social hall at Parliament House on Saturday.

DEFINITE THREATS. COMMUNISTS’ DEMANDS. Definite threats that the section of unemployed they led would have to resort to direct action to obtain food, clothing and shelter were made by Communist speakers at the second deputation received by the Minister in Charge of Unemployment, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and the Minister of Health, I-lon. J. A. Young, on Saturday morning. The deputation included about 300 men, women and children, who marched to Parliament House carrying banners and who held a preliminary meeting outside the Bowen Street dooi. Whereas no police had been required to watch the previous deputation, a large number of constables controlled the movements of . this gathering representing the United Workers’ Movement which has broken away from the General Labourers’ Union. Speakers paid practically no attention to the two Ministers, and addressed themselves to the large gathering in the social room, only at times turning to the table to threaten direct action in the event of no satisfaction being had. There was constant uproar during the speeches and women as well as men interrupted the leaders of the deputation, whose words were drowned alternately by cheering, applause and jeering. Mr Coates said he did not agree with one or two suggestions about direct action, which was a very dangerous attitude to adopt. Apart from that ho could not see that anything had been said to warrant victimisa10A large crowd was again addressed outside the building by speakers when the deputation concluded, . and the Ministers spent some time in earnest conversation with many who remained. Those outside were counselled to force the Government to take action and to meet again to map out a campaign.