DECLARED “BLACK.”

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17986, 3 April 1930, Page 7

DECLARED “BLACK.”

GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE. RESOLUTION BY LABOUR. “ FOOLING THE WORKERS.” (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Maintaining that there was no reason why the Labour movement should further support the present Government, the National Council of the Alliance of Labour has definitely decided to declare “black” the committee which is at present investigating the operation of the Workers’ Compensation Act. In calling on the affiliated bodies to act in a similar manner, the Alliance accuses the ■Government of breaking promises and attempting to fool Hie workers. The decision was arrived at by a meeting of the National Council to-day, and was the outcome of the refusal of tlie Minister of Labour, the Hon. W. 'A. Veitch, to re-open the question of the workers’ representation on the committee. REPRESENTATION WANTED. CO-OPERATION REFUSED. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Labour Council's resolution is as follows :—That after giving careful consideration -to the question of presenting evidence to the committee appointed by the to investigate and report on the Workers’ Compensation Act, the National Council of the Alliance of Labour is of opinion that no good purpose will be served by representatives of the alliance of labour submitting evidence to the committee. The council is of opinion that as the committee is called upon to deal with one of the most important questions affecting the wage workers of the Dominion, the trade unionists of New Zealand should have representation omthc committee. In'view of the Government’s definite refusal to appoint a representation of the workers the National Council refuses to cooperate with the committee in any way, and calls upon all affiliations throughout the Dominion to act in a similar manner. It is accompanied by a long statement regarding the alterations in compensation that the council demands. STATEMENT BY IVHNISTER. WILL NOT BE DICTATED TO. WELLIN’GTON, Thursday. “ As far as I am concerned, I cannot agree to the functions of the Grown being transferred from Parliament House to the Trades’ Hall,” said Hon. W. Veitch, Minister of Labour, when the effect of the Alliance’s decision was communicated to him. “It is not reasonable to bo asked to do.it. In any case I don’t intend to do it. 9he setting up of the committee is the function of the Government, not- the Trades’ Hall, and we cannot allow ourselves to be dictated to by any body in any way.” The ■ Minister said the fact that the Government set up the committee should be an indication to the people of New Zealand that the Government desired lo improve the of the legislation. The action of the Alliance of Labour would not afreet the position. The committee will go on and when Hie recommendations are received they will have careful and sympathetic consideration of the Government. . Little concern at the action of the Alliance was expressed by the chairman of the committee (Mr S. G. Smith, M.P.) when approached for a statement. The committee is concentrating on the investigation of the compensation law, and is not interested in any factional fight that may be going on that does not come within its order of reference. However do not suppose that a worker paying his subscriptions to keep the Alliance of Labour going will gather any satisfaction from the fact that the “Alliance is adverse .to tendering any evidence in the direction ■of extending' the present provisions of and removing existing anomalies in the legislation.