RELIEF WORKERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18878, 23 February 1933, Page 2

RELIEF WORKERS.

REPRIMAND BY PREMIER. WASTING HIB TIME. REPLY TO A DEPUTATION. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A sharp reprimand to members of a deputation for unnecessarily wasting his time was given by Hon. G. W. Forbes when relief workers from Lower Hutt protested to-day against the Government’s policy in raising the exchange rate and introducing the sales tax. When Mr Nash, M.P., was stating what had occurred at a meeting at Lower Hutt which resulted in the deputation, Mr Forbes said: “I have read all these attacks in the papers. I did not know you were here for the purpose of repeating them.” Mr Nash: “Our purpose is to place before you the feeling of the meeting." Mr Forbes: "I read it in the papers.” Mr Forbes afterwards said it would be better to deal with things that could be remedied. Mr Forbes objected to a request that Mr Laird, who had read the greater portion of the meeting's resolution, should finish It. Ho said there was nothing fresh about this sort of stuff. He submitted to the reading, and when Mr Laird went on with his speech lie asked: "How much longer are you going to speak?" Mr Nash said there were three more speakers. When Mr Forbes still demurred Mr Strand (Mayor of Lower Hutt) said: “I must withdraw. I have a case to state, but I cannot see why you should he harassed as you are now.” ■Mr Strand said he would put his oasc at the Premier’s convenience. Mr Forbes again said if a deputation came before them they wanted the case put ooncisely. Answering the representations made, he said he believed what was being done was in the best interests of the people. While they were being charged with being callous they were only human beings. The matters raised affecting relief workers would be put before the Minister of Unemployment.