LABOUR DEMONSTRATION

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1931, Page 6

LABOUR DEMONSTRATION

AGAINST REDUCTION OF WAGES. AT GREYMOUTH. Not for fourteen of fifteen years lias Greymouth witnessed such an assemblage of workers in its streets as that which yesterday afternoon took part in the demonstration held for the purpose of protesting against the policy of the Government and the New Zealand Employers’ Federation for the reduction of the wages under all the awards of the Court of Arbitration. There was an attendance of between two and three thousand and the procession, marking , s ix and seven in a line, extended for the length of two blocks in Mackay ■ Street, while many hundreds lined the footpaths aim as many more wore early gathered at the Band Rotunda. The police force were all at their posts, hut they had a pleasant task, as there was no sign whatever of disorder, the predominant note being obviously one of pride on the part of the demonstrators in standing up for the rights of their class. Speeches were delivered by .Messrs 0. Fraser: (Grey month Watersidcrs Union), A. Mi-Lagan . (United Mine Workers), J. O’Brien' M.IL, J. Doyle (Timber Workers Union), It. Connol (State Mines Union), W. Barber (Grey Valley Workers Union), B. Topp (Timber Workers Union). f , < .The following resolutions* were carried : ” ' . _ V.. v . f/. Ji. “This combined- meeting ,qf. G.rpy district workers endorses tluf decisions of the Industrial Open GofrferOhce that in the event of wages being reduced the workers shall reduce all rent, interest and mortgage payment's by 15 per cent.; that any firm which reduces wages shall lie boycotted; that all union s shall lie. advised to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court; and that industrial action shall he taken to resist the wage reduction.’’

“This combined meeting of Grey district workers pledges itself to take all possible industrial and political action under the leadership of the national Industrial Council to defeat the proposed wage reduction.” “That tljifjt-clemon.stration of workers enter ;ui emphatic protest against the police raiding the homes of workers and seizing .literature therefrom.” “Further,'; wo emphatically protest against Lhoqgaoliiig of workers lor taking part in ; any working--class demonstration. and demand thy ; release of those now id gaol.” The eomjiinpd hands then played the first ami .y^sT■ yei^o^ Rod ('’lag.” inddlso Moving, the crowd joining m'sohg. Three cheers for the Bed Flag were also given. After the Chairman returned thanks for the fine manner in which the large assemblage had been conducted, and for their-large attendance, the gathering quieltly dispersed. ■ AT A CHEAT GATHERING. WESTPORT, (May 12. A coal miners and other s'^Ryl.cf-in -Westport to-dav wages a'iidy'Salaries. A procession was formed- gi'lff it marched through the principal,.'^-streets, 'gheadjHl by. the. (Irani tv. Band, and ‘then |nto Victoria Square,.; wjjere the. worfiju;s - message wa s dclive,'r'qd in clqouen|j speeches by Messrs Nixon. E. Lock, B. Davidson I). Hayward and N. Bourne. The following resolutions were carried : “That' this mass meeting of the Bullcr district workers enters our protest against the Government’s action in reducing wages. Wo also demand that the local authorities granted to the Arhiration Court to revise the existing awards and agreements should 1 1 ( . wit.hdradrn-. as a reduction in our alreadyl<Rv‘ standard of living is not justified. “That .this meeting of Bullcr’ district worljers enters an emphatic’ protest- against the arrest and jailing .of workers! in connection willi the unemployed demonstrations, and we demand their release. Further, we demand the right for workers to demonstrate as a means of expressing their opinions on industrial and political matters: