SOLD HIS BIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 191, 15 August 1933, Page 8

SOLD HIS BIKE.

FOOD FOR FAMILY. • TAKANINI RELIEF WORKERS. A statement that last week a relief worker had been compelled to sell his bicycle to buy food for his family was made by a deputation representing sixty Takanini relief workers, registered at Manurewa, which waited on the Manuka u County Council at its meeting this morning.

"We only want a fair deal," said Mr. Dempsey, spokesman for the deputation. It was stated that relief work allocations had been steadily reduced and that a number of workers were under notice to leave State houses. There was work to do in the cquntry, as stated by Mr. Slaughter, but ' farmers had not : the money to pay 'for it. It was claimed that it was not a fair thing for city relief men to be sent out for work on the railways in country areas. What the workers in Takanini were asking for was that the present stand-down week should be done away with and that the allocation should be increased, so that the men would be on the same footing as those in neighbouring areas. The chairman, Mr. F. M. Waters, said he fully sympathised with the men. He said that he had previously put the position before the Unemployment Board, but had been unable to get any satisfaction. "Instead of getting a 10 per cent 'cut' yon got nearly a 30 per cent 'cut'," said Mr. Waters.

Another member of the deputation, said that it was not correct ttf say that living in the country was much cheaper than in the city. His wife could save 4/7 J in the £ by coming to town to buy her groceries: Mr. Waters promised tha deputation that the council would do what it could in the- matter. -

"These men have been more patient than anyone I know. They are good chaps," said the chairman, when the deputation had retired.

It was decided that representations should be made to the Minister of Employment immediately, urging that the men should be placed on the same footing as other workers in the metropolitan area.