N.Z. LABOUR PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1931, Page 6

N.Z. LABOUR PARTY

NO. .5 SCHEME. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 20. The National Executive of the New Zealand Labour Party met yesterday. It wais reported that Some forty candidates have already been nominated to contest various electorates, and arrangements wore under way for the selection of further candidates both in the North and South Islands. The announcement that the- Government had abandoned its idea of suspending the Number Five Scheme was welcomed. It was, however, decided that whilst the continuance of the scheme is essential, it is totally inadequate to provide ftood and other necessities, and that new methods must he introduced, under which more productive work may* be. undertaken, and an opportunity given both to the married and single men to increase theii earnings.

It was decided that at the earliest opportunity, the Labour Party would take steps to bring about a reduction in all interest rates.

COST OF LIVING. WELLINGTON, June ‘2(\. The Welington Trades and Labour Council tins week carried a resolution as follows : —“That this Council enters j an emphatic protest against the Prime ; Minister’s repeated statement that the j cost of living has been reduced, and ! that the Prime Minister take immediate and effective action to bring down the cost of living so that it may eom-pai-e more favourably with the reduced .wages now being paid to the woricers, thereby making his oft-ropoatea statement as to equality of sacrifice « statement of fact.” N.Z. WORKERS’ UNION. CONDEMNS UNEMPLOYMENT ACT. WELLINGTON, June 20. Matters of policy and of organisation : were considered by the delegates an the 1 Annual Conference of the New Zealand Workers’ Union yesterday. A resolution was. carried condemning the Unemployment Act as at present constituted and administered. The opinion was expressed that the A-u ■is actually increasing the unemployment, is breaking down Union concisions, and is operating generally agains„ one interests of the workers. J The Government were criticised for 1 their refusal to allow the Public urrts i men to state their case before an m 1 dependent tribunal. j It was agreed that immediately an opportunity presented itself, an endeavour will he made oh behalf of the men. ~ 1 The delegates pledged themselves to I work in their districts to assist m j bringing about change of Government. j It was decided to pursue an oragnising policy in the coming year amongst the agricultural and pastoral workers, 'and the public works employees, to | protect the interests of the organisation’s membership to the fullest extent.

ARE 1 WATERSTDERS BARRED? WELLINGTON, June 20. A reply has been forwarded by the Minister of Labour, Mr Smith, to the complaints made some time ago by a deputation representing the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Federation in regard to the administration of the Unemployment Act. Mr Smith re, futes the suggestion made that the workers were being debarred from obtaining employment under the Board’s various schemes.