UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1930, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD

UNIONS’ OBJECTION . (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 13. Mr James Roberts, Secretary of the Ne\v Zealand Alliance of Labour say's:—That it is absolutely correct that, in reply to the Minister of Labour, he said that the objections to the method of selecting the representatives of the Unemployment Board, did not come from the Alliance, but came from the Union. Mr Roberts reiterates that this absolutely correct statement, numbers of the Unions having protested against the method before the Alliance took action. Mr Roberts points out further that it is a long-standing policy of the Labour Movement that any person required to represent Trade Unions in any Governmental position should be elected by the trade unionists themselves. Mr Roberts objects to it being reported that he denied any knowledge of the circular sent to the Unions and to its being further reported that the Minister had not a copy of the letter. These statements were contrary fo fact, and both did violence to commonsense. Mr Roberts gives the following statement, as to what took place at the deputation. The Minister stated that he had information from branch unions of the Alliance to the effect that but for the protest made by the Alliance those organisations would have remained silent about the method of election. He, (Mr Roberts), would like to see a copy of the letter. The Minister said that he had not a copy of the letter but this had been told verbally by men who had attended the meetings of affiliations of the Alliance. The Minister said, however, that lie .had a copy of the circular in his office, whereupon Mr Roberts replied, “I have a copy of it here, and produced it. Mr Roberts says that it will be seen from the fact that the circular was distributed throughout the Dominion, and published in extenso by two daily papers, it would be absurd on his part, to deny it. , ; , ■

MR McBRINE COMMENTS. AUCKLAND, November 13, Mr Oscar Mcßrine, who was a member of the Unemployment Committee referring to the appointments to the Unemployment Board, said: “We are not prepared to pull down the house because we cbnnot have the rooms furnished to our taste. Unionists realise that che present position is grave, and believe that unemployent is not a passing phase, but a permanent 'ieature, of modern society needing permanent machinery to deal with it. As every male has to contribute, all would give attention to unemployment, which in the past has been the con" cern only of a-few.” •

He pointed out that the Unemplqyr ment Board would be the driving power.of the Act. It would be assist", ed by local committees, probably siniilar to the Repatriation Committees, The 'Unemployment Board differed from similar boards elsewhere in that its primary function was to supply and foster employment. Elsewhere' the machinery was to provide’ relief,j and it usually stopped at that.

UNION PROTESTS. AUCKLAND, November 13. The Auckland branch of the Seamen’s Union, and Tramways’ Union the Dairy and Butter Factories union, the Bakers’ Union and the Tailoresses’ Union have passed resolutions and sent them to the Minister of Labour protesting against the method of appointing the workers’ representatives on the Unemployment Board. Speaking of the Act generally, Mr J. Liddell, secretary of the Union, said he had heard of no movement for repudiation of the levy, but was of opinion that a great .deal of improvement could have been made by Praliament in the Act itself. “We are entirely against the flat tax,” he said, “and we are also against the ex-' elusion of women from any benefits. My own opinion is that women should receive first consideration. An unemployed young woman is subject to much more temptation than a young man similarly placed. J'f the women are not guarded the morals of the country will be affected.”

DOMINION REGISTRATIONS. WELLINGTON, November 13. Applications for registration under the Unemployment Act have practically ceased, and it is estimated by tbe Post Office authorities that a total o>f 440,000 persons have been registered throughout the country up till toTTiglit. . * ■ r CHRISTCHURCH FIGURES. CHRISTCHURCH, November 13. The total number of registrations under the Unemployment Act in the Christchurch postal district to date is 50,596. Of these, 32,681 registered; in the city and suburbs.