A PROTEST

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1929, Page 4

A PROTEST

RICH WOMAN INTERFERES. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, Deci 16. ” “Lady Houston wishes the Hull City Council to undersand that, if they persist in this perfidious, unworthy action, instead of fighting penniless tramwaymien, they will be fighting her. She will quite cheerfully take up the burden of this unequal fight, which she has no doubt of winning, as her counsel is of opinion that the Council’s conduct is illegal.” Thus writes the widow of the millionaire shipowner to the Hull Council in defence of one hundred and fifteen volunteers who joined the tramway service during the General .Strike in 1926. They have been dismissed since the Labour candidates secured, a majority in the Hull Council at the recent municipal elections. Lady Houston has. forwarded a copy of her letter to the Rt. Hon Miss Mairgaret Bondfiohl, and in a covering letter, referring to Miss Bondfield’s dictum that she has no authority to intervene, says: “If the Minister of Labour cannot insist on justice to workers, her title ought to be Minister of Injustice and Labour.” The dismissed men secured a legal opinion that the Council’s action was mala fide, as being due to a sinister object. They expect to seek an injunction.