LABOUR COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 18853, 19 June 1920, Page 5

LABOUR COUNCIL

EMIGRATION PROBLEM. A meeting of the District Labour Council was held in the Labour Hall last night, when Mr ,). Alsweiicr presided over a full attends: nee. A complaint was received from the Soft Goods Union that a certain drapery' firm in Invercargill was employing non-unionists. It w;ls stated that this was on account of the employer’s opposition to employees becoming members. After discussion it was decided that the union be informed that if the employer continues to place obstacles in the way of workers joining their organisation, the council was prepared to circularise all workers in Southland asking them to purchase (heir commodities from those firms which only employe:! unionists. It was decided that as the increased cost of living was falling heavily upon parents of young families, the time had arrived for the Government to enact legislation to deal with the question. A motion of sympathy with the Jockeys’ Association in their fight with the owners for hot ter conditions was curried, and the moral and financial support of the Council was pledged to assist the Jockeys’ Association. The increased immigration of aliens to New Zealand was discussed, and it was decided that the Council draw the attention of the Government to the increased number of Hindus and Chinese arriving in the dominion, and request (hat the Immigration Restriction Act be amended to stop, without delay, the immigration of Hindus and Chinese. It was further decided that the Council affirm the principle of a white New Zealand.