THE WELFARE LEAGUE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1920, Page 3

THE WELFARE LEAGUE

ITS AIMS AND OBJECTS

fPEIt PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

AVELLINGTON, This Day

Air Skerrett, in the course of an address to the Newspapers Proprietors Association last night, emphasised the fact that politically the Welfare League was strictly non-party, and was originated to wake up the'average man to take an interest and'action in public affairs, and to get sound men into Parliament regardless of party, who would place national before party interests. At the last election, the League aimed at preventing the return of revolutionary Socialists. It supported Reform, Liberal and Independent Labour candidates. Its only pledge was that a candidate would pot support a Government holding office by a revolutionary vote. Since the election the League had conducted a publicity campaign, bringing before the public the truth about the industrial position to avoid a financial crisis and unemployment. Tlie country must increase its production. It is necessary that the worker and the employer co-operate, the worker receiving better conditions and some controlling share of the industry. The worker must give a corresponding production in re* turn. Instead of an increased production and co-qperation from the worker and thp employer the country was faced with an organisation preaching a class war, labour against capital, urging members to demand higher wages, short or hours and less work. This lead to national bankruptcy and unemployment, and the worker will be the first to suffei. The "League was conducting a counter propaganda. Mr Skerrett emphasised that- the Leaone was the only Association in New Zealand not formed to further some particular interest, but was purely national in its aims. Members of all parties, including Labour were in the League. He urged a strict inquiry into profiteering and prompt publicity. He opined the rise in costs due to profiteering was nothing compared to the rise due to “go-slow.” ■’ Concluding,- be stated reconstruction was necessary, but until tlie worker sees the folly' of revolutionary socialism, it is impossible to devise schemes for U’ r improvement of tlie relationship between the worker and the employer. The Lengup’s object is to watch dcveler ments in the interests qf the nv ' public, which suffered whenever liuluspial trouble* occurred.