IF WE GO “DRY.”

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1922, Page 5

IF WE GO “DRY.”

ANXIETY OF EMPLOYEES. MANY FAMILIES INVOLVED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Septembei 1. A deputation representing the brew* ery employees and maltsters of the Dominion met the Hon. Downie Stewart, Minister of Internal Affairs, to press for consideration in the event of prohibition being carried. The spokesman ; stated that over 1000 men with 7000 dependents would be affected The request was not for compensation, but (or work to sustain their families. Mr, McCombs, M.P., supported the request as most reasonable. He expected the cost to the Government would be small, as the workers would be readily absorbed by the diversion of money into new channels. The Minister said it was a matter for the Government, but as the Act stood compensation was ruled out. As it was an act of the'' electors that 'would the loss, perhaps?, the electors provide work if prohibition was carried. Parliament would be convened, as. Mr. Massey had stated, and the position of the workers could thei l be considered. The Minister thoughtthe trade should have made some pro* vision, as the sword had been hang* ing over their heads for a long time. He asked whether the Alliance would meet the difficulty as a thank-offering.

Mr. McCombs said the amount involved was so small that he would suggest that to the Alliance.