REASONS FOR STRIKE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 221, 12 May 1932, Page 5

REASONS FOR STRIKE

(Press Assn.-

relief inadequate WELLINGTON UNION OFFICIAL BLAMES MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT • "MR. COATES OUT OF TOUCH"

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Mr. Butler, secretary of the Labourers' Union, said the reason the unemployed are on strike is because they will not have suffieient food for themselves and their families. The j new scheme, coming on top of long , ffionths of suffering, further 2£S§&tuated their -Blls^fy. On Monday the majority of the men •voted in favour of a strike rather than face the rigburs of winter with a reduced allowance. Delegates from the majority of the jobs met, and held the men from this action pending a further appeal to the Hon. J. G. Coates. The delegates made application to see Mr. Coates on Monday afternoon, but the request was not granted. An interview was arranged with the Unemployment Board late in the afternoon, and the delegates advised the men to remain on their jobs pending a reply from the board. The delegates simply requested the board to allow the continuation of the old scheme with the usual rations from the Social Welfare Department. "New Scheme Worse" They realised that the old scheme was not much good, but the new scheme was worse. The vice-chairman of the board, Mr Jessep, stated that the new scheme was more expensive to the board, but notwithstanding the fact that the men wanted the old scheme the board refused this application. Mr. Butler said a deputation from the Citizens' Unemployment Committee, headed by the Mayor, waited on Mr. Coates yesterday. All the members of the committee pointed out to Mr. Coates the inadequaey of the wages of the new scheme, and the Mayor specially stressed the insuffieiency of the allowance. Mr. Coates stated that this was being met by arrangements which had been made to provide the men with rations in addition to wages. Mr. Coates' statement was not correet regarding the arrangements being made for rations. Mr. Godfrey, Commissioner of Unemployment, then stated that it would take days to complete the arrangements for rations. Minister Out Of Touch From then onwards it was obvious that the Minister was out of touch with the arrangements, or lack of arrangements, which his board had under consideration. Mr. Coates refused to make a definite statement beyond saying that he would confer with members of the board and make a statement to the Press on the following day. The urgency of the matter was fully impressed on Mr. Coates by the deputation, and he was warned of what was likely to occur. He refused to say anything more, and the deputation retired. Had Mr. Coates been aware of the lack of provision make by his board," said Mr. Butler, "then, after he was made aware of the position by the Mayor and other s, it was his duty to tackle the matter immediately. He made a promise that he would investigate matters and make a statement this morning, and now he further complicates matters by hiding behind the affairs of last evening and breaks his promise. "Mr. Coates and his board," continued Mr. Butler, "are responsible for the whole affair, due to their failure to make arrangements for the change-over, and it is due the pu1 lic that he should face his responsi'oilities, instead of blaming men whjm he has incensed by his inaction a ---J incompetency."