N.Z. GENERAL STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1931, Page 4

N.Z. GENERAL STRIKE

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association) AGAINST WAGE CUT. FEELING OF UNIONS. WELLINGTON. March 10. The Labour Unions of every part of the Dominions were .said at to-day’s conference, which was convened by the Alliance of Labour, to be in favour or a general strike in very industry if the Government's proposals to reduce wages .should be given effect to. Almost every trade union in New Zealand was said to have been represented at. ibis conference, which was called by the Alliance in order to discuss the Government's economic measuims and especially its proposal to give the Arbitration Court authority to review awards.

The conference was attended by 161 delegates. In all BS.‘do7 workers were directly lepresentod. The Conference had not completed its business at the end of tlie day. It was decided to meet again to-morrow. The proceedings

were not open to the press. The 'Secretary of the Alliance of Labour, Mr James Roberts, made >\ short official statement. He stated that' the delegates present wholeheartedly condemned Mr Forbes’ proposals on the ground that, in their opinion it was a direction from the money-lending interests overseas. Th e wages of the workers already had been reduced from 20 per cent, to 50 per cent, through the ofisualncsa of employment, “The representatives of the workers present,” added Mr Roberts, stated that when the question was discussed, by many Unions, they were of the unanimous opinion that if the Government carried out its threat to reduce wages, there should he a strike in every industry, The opinion of the meeting wap that the workers would rebel against any further lowering of their standard of living. It was pointed out that- the proposals would not only reduce wages, hut would cause further unemployment, as the purchasing power of the people would be materially reduced.”