THE UNEMPLOYED WORKERS' MOVEMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22987, 16 September 1936, Page 4

THE UNEMPLOYED WORKERS' MOVEMENT

m I'Hl KDITOR

Sir, —In your leading article on Saturday last you make a statement about the relief workers' and unemployed movement in New South Wales, and refer to the manner in which subscriptions are collected and to the men being urged not to take out their union tickets. You add: "In New Zealand the same sort of thing has been seen in the collection of dues from relief workers." As far as Dunedin is concerned no Communist collects any dues, and we are working hand-in-hand with the General Labourers' Union, as the following resolution will show:—" That this union take the members of the N.U.W.M. /upon a clearance from that organisation and that they be allowed three months' grace in which to pay their entrance fee." I therefore ask you to prove your statement, as far as New Zealand is concerned, as to the well-known Communists who are collecting dues from relief workers and also requesting them not to join their respective unions when they secure full time work. May I just add that the N.U.W.M. is a non-party organisation, but it is at all times political? Having a mass basis amongst the unemployed workers, all our agitation is against the Government, the Labour Department, and the State through its various channels. Our movement leads the unemployed workers against all forces of oppression instituted by the aforementioned organs of the employing class. This means that we challenge their political character. Therefore every activity of the unemployed workers, led and directed, by the N.U.W.M. is also political in its character.—l am, etc., F. O'Rorke, Secretary, N.U.W.M. September 14.