DESTITUTE MEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 26, 31 January 1934, Page 9

DESTITUTE MEN.

TE AROHA PROTEST.

STAND-DOWN DECISION.

MINISTER PRESSED TO ACT.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TE AROHA, this day. A large deputation, including representatives of the Borough Council, County Council, Chamber of Commerce, Returned Soldiers' Association and relief workers, waited on the Hon. C. E. Macmillan this morning to protest against the decision of the Unemployment Board that a number of relief workers must stand down. The Mayor, Mr. R. Coulter, spoke at length regarding the serious plight of the number of men who would have no work and no money. His contentions were supported by Mr. Kennedy, chairman of the coun'tv council.

Mr. Grice, another councillor, said that Ministers had taken but little interest in the Te Aroha unemployment organisations, and Mr. G. H. Nicholls, president of the R.S.A., contended that unemployment moneys received by the Government from the Te Aroha district should be expended there. Messrs. D. Johnson, H. H. Wood and J. A. Hepburn, representing local bodies and institutions, spoke on the seriousness of the position of from 30 to 40 men.

The Minister, in reply, stated the case from the point of view of the Unemployment Board. He said he would telegraph to Wellington, conveying the representations of the deputation, with a view to assisting the relief men. The Minister was reminded by . the Mayor that the matter was extremely urgent, as at present the Borough Council was arranging sustenance.