"FOR ALL IN NEED."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 93, 20 April 1932, Page 14

"FOR ALL IN NEED."

HOSPITAL BOARD RELIEF. MR. WALLACE'S INSISTENCE. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY. A deputation from the Unemployed Workers' Association waited on the Hospital Board yesterday afternoon and asked what its attitude would be to "men who have refused work on account of the slavish conditions imposed upon relief workers by the Government.'' The board decided that as long as responsibility for relief rested upon it, "all persons in need would be relieved." The deputation was heard at the end of a very long meeting, and the board was obviousl} - impressed by the bearing of the men and their plain unvarnished tale. Mr. F. Blackic, secretary of the association, Mr. R. Stanley, chairman, and Mr. McCormiek, of Takapuna, were the speakers. They said their association was composed of intelligent, respectable and law-abiding citizens, and they took no responsibility for the disturbances recently. They thanked the board for its help in the past, and now wished to know its attitude towards men who had downed tools as a protest against the impossible conditions imposed by the Government. Government Inaction. Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P., a member of the board, said the question could not be side-tracked. At this stage Mr. A. S. I.aing wanted the board to go into committee; he thought it would be safer. The board, however, decided to discuss the matter in open board, and Mr. I.aing withdrew. Mr. Savage said the men should be provided with sustenance until their protest against the conditions of relief work had been properly inquired into by the Government. The Government had neither inquired into their protests nor provided sustenance. He moved that the Government should be communicated with at once to make provision for the men. Mr. J. Rowe: For men who won't work? Mr. Savage: I would not work for 10/ a week, up to my waist in a swamp. Mr. F. N. Bartruin supported Mr. Sa rage's suggestion. Mr. E. 11. Potter suggested that the board consult Mr. Slaughter, oflicer in charge of the Labour Department in. Auckland. The Rev. W. C. Wood said that would not be mu ah use, as the Government was doing nothing. Need for Care. The chairman of the board, Mr. William Wallace, said the Government had asked the board to continue for three months the work of relief; after that period it would be the duty of the Government, but until then the board'.* duty was plain—it must meet the situation as it was to-day. The board would have to act very carefully. The men must be fed, whatever the consequences; the board must not refuse assistance to the women and children. The men who had struck were protesting against conditions forced on them by the Government, and anyone who had seen the conditions at the* Aka Aka swamp drainage camp would realise that those conditions were merely creating Bolsheviks. The men had to do tremendously hard work to earn anythiiv near 10/ a week. One of the men in the camp was found to be suffering from , T. 8., and should never have been sent there. ,

Mr. W. K. Howitt. chairman of the Relief Committee: If the Government: don't come to our aid we cannot afford to keep these unemplovcd going with relief. ° ° Mr. Wallace: Keep on as you arc doing; the Government has forced us into this position, and it must take the responsibility. Call to Citizens. Dr. E. B. Gunson said he was greatlv impressed by the deputation, and the matter must be tackled immediately. It seemed pitiable that the citizens of Auckland could not get together and cope with the problem. He was certain that if the citizens did get together in the right spirit the matter could be settled in 48 hours. After further discussion, the board decided "as long as the responsibilitv tor relief rests on the board, all persons in need will be relieved," the deputation to be informed aeeordinglv.