LABOUR AT GENEVA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 914, 6 March 1930, Page 14

LABOUR AT GENEVA

N.Z.’S REPRESENTATIVE CRITICISED TRADES UNIONISTS’ PROTEST Press Association WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A strong protest against the selection of Professor A. H. Tocker as the Government’s Representative at the Labour Conference at Geneva, was made by a deputation, representing the Canterbury and Wellington Trades and Labour Councils to the Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister of Labour today. Objection was taken on the ground that in Labour circles Professor Tocker was regarded as one of the most reactionary individuals in the Dominion. One of the main objects of the conference was to endeavour to raise the standard of living of the countries which did not enjoy such a high standard as was maintained in the British Commonwealth, but it was well known that Professor Tocker did not subscribe to that ideal. He had expressed the opinion that the remedy for the present state of affairs was a lowering of the standard of living of the people and he had said that the employer should be given an unrestricted right to organise his business as he thought it ought to be organised. Pie had made it manifestly clear that he was opposed to compulsory arbitration. The Minister defended the appointment, remarking that it was because Professor Tocker was one of the outstanding economists in the Dominion, and it was thought he would be in a position to furnish a valuable and unbiased report to the Government.