RATIONS DEMANDED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 136, 21 March 1935, Page 6

RATIONS DEMANDED.

WOMEN BESIEGE DEPOT. INCIDENT AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, March 20. Demanding the immediate issue of food rations, a party of between 30 and 40 women besieged the Metropolitan Relief Association's Central Depot this afternoon and refused to leave. Tactful persuasion by two police sergeants and a few constables led to the building being cleared, but not until one of the women had had to be removed by two sergeants from the office of the honorary director, Mr A. M. Macintosh. Most of the women were wives of relief workers. They all claimed that they were in dire need of food for themselves and their families. They asked that food be issued to them, and stated that they would remain in the building until something was done foi them. There was almost continuous bantering of the police and members of the depot staff. Mr Macintosh said that nothing could be done for the women, but still they would not leave. The police sergeants tried to persuade them to go, and even threatened to take some of them in charge. All the women save one eventually left, and the police had to use some force in escorting her from the building. The position of the relief association is that its funds, all provided by public subscription, are exhausted. It still receives occasional gifts of goods and money, but these are used to help families in the direst need through ill-health or some infirmity. -