UNEMPLOYMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2288, 11 June 1921, Page 1

UNEMPLOYMENT.

LABOUB’S CHARGE DENIED.

Wellington, June 7.

The Acting-Premier yesterday received the following telegram from the secretary of the Otago Labour Council: “Is the charge of the Labour members of Parliament true, that men on public works, .eeiving lGs a day, have been discharged, and replaced by men getting 10s and 12s a day?'”. Sir Francis Bell has replied:— “Please read my official statement, published in the Press to-day. You will find the statements of Labour members irreconcilable with the true facts, as set forth in my statement. It is just possible that a few men had been discharged from public works in the early part of the year, and have had their places ou public works filled by others, and have now applied for employment on relief works at the lower rate of wage, but if the charge you quote is founded on these possible, but exceptional instances, it is -more or less untrue, for the allegations of the Labour members is that the Government has discharged these men for the purpose, and with the object, of subsequently employing them at a lower rate, and with the further object of reducing the standard of wages on public works. My official statement demonstrates the utter falsity of that allegation. I propose to publish your telegram and this reply.”