UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 206, 13 June 1931, Page 4

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

Sir,—ln view of the prospect of the means of even a bare existence being cut off through tlie cessation of the Unemployed! Relief scheme, I, in common with other sufferers, would like to knew what our ‘City Fathers” propose to do about it? Your recent leader spoke of the beautiful ideal of “equal sacrifice,” but ideality and reality apparently do not march together, as witness how men are thrown on; to the register, “caused by employers all over the Dbniinion discharging hands” (per the statement issued by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister). Such a thing as rationing work among those already emploved, and a few other alternatives, and keeping the registrations somewliat within bounds, never occurred to our executives (or should it be executioners?). Surely our Mayor and Councillors are not going to subside into a complacent apathy and state of “laissez l'aire” while misery and starvation, like a sore, is eating into the life of the community? Of such is made “mob law” and “Red Feds.” The Mayor of Dunedin has shown a militant public spirit in; his action. I wonder if it is too much' to expect Ashburton to be “put on the map?” I hope our Town authorities will not treat this letter (to use a well-worn phrase) “with the contempt it deserves,” but do something to alleviate what promises to be a crisis.

QUO VADIS. '