COMMUNISTS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1930, Page 2

COMMUNISTS

- AT AN UNEMPLOYED DEMONSTRATION. (By Telegraph—Preen Association). - WELLINGTON, Dec. 21. There were iiitejeetions by Communists, \yhich received a short shift at the hands of the deputation on unpmploynient, which waited upon, the three Cabinet Ministers to-day. There were about 230 men in the large supper room in the old wing of Parliament House, and although it was made clear that many of them were in extreme poverty, .they gave, a courteous hearing to the Government’s representatives, and were appreciative of the difficulties' to be faced in coping with the situation.

It- was shown clearly that the deputation" to a man, was not willing to subscribe to the communistic .attitude, which one member of that party tried to intrude when the Minister of Public .Works was. speaking. .. . Th.e Minister -said that he had been able that morning to arrange to place 2po men at. Nelson and at Stratford and that' that work would keep them in {jobs'for from four to six months.

”At what rates of pay,” asked a man who was sitting near the front. •“At the ordinary rates,”, the Minister' replied.

“ Yes, but at standard rates, or “sedh relief works? ” the interjector asked,.-.. ■ - , > . -

We' pay no “Scab”’ relief rates, ,thp Minister replied, emphatically,. Mi« ft‘, Semple M. F,, who had introduced the deputation, and who was accompanied by other local Labour ipembers of Parliament stepped to the table. “I want you to understand, Si.r,-”-he said to the Minister, “That offensive suggestions of that kind ffo ’not represent the voice of the men here to-dav. That is the voice of Moscow.’’. •

Mr Semple’s remark was greeted by loud and prolonged applause, which effectively prevented this, intei'jecter from speaking for some time. But when the applause had subsided, the man next to him £aid: ‘‘You do not like the Moscow whip Semple.” j ,

. Mr Semple la ter returned to the attack, and he received the unqualified support of those who, were seeking the Government’s help. ■Jn thanking the Ministers attentive hearing, -Mr Semple also thanked the deputation for the manner in which its* members had conducted themselves. He said that they were fill appreciated the task with which the Government was faced, and tfiey had -not brought the deputation in, any dictatorial attitude. (Here Here!. It was their aim to seek work fop those who would work, and he said they had no time for the man who had testified his type with ; the sneering remark when the Minister was speaking. .••• : “We do not represent the sneering type,” Mr Semple said. "We represent the- serious minded in the city, and we are prepared to join with any Government or institution, not to wreck or smash, but to; build, (applause); That represents the sentimentp and the principles that spring from the- heart of a British subject, pot the instructions sent, from some country by ’ some traitor who attempts to export, the people of New Zealand. These* men here are builder ß » not wreckers.” 1 r The members of the deputation showed their support for the views expressed by loud applause,