UNEMPLOYMENT.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 10886, 12 August 1932, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT.

Sir, —Could you please find space in your paper for the following:— I was very pleased to see you had given publicity to the cases of want brought under your notice in your leading article yesterday, August 10. The Tauranga Unemployed Association has consistently been pointing out to the powers that be the seriousness of the position on every possible occasion. Even on the last visit of the local member, the Hon. Mr Macmillan, a deputation waited upon him and did its utmost to try and find out what steps had to be taken, and where to apply, in cases of dire want, but could get no satisfaction. The Hon. Mr Macmillan wired to the Minister in charge, and his reply was just as vague. I may state here, and with pride, that had it not "been for the true comradeship and loyalty of members of the Tauranga Unemployed Association, there -would have been more cases such as you have quoted. And because men have managed to carry on and help one another, what do we see time after time? The allocation for TauranghT dropped this week. Has the unemployed dropped? No. If the full allocation per capita were paid for the rest of the year the greater majority, by far, of the men would be well behind what they should have received, as we have figures to prove at any time. As regards the position at the present time, how more than half the men and their families are keeping body and soul together only they themselves know. I know if many of those responsible were in their places they would find they had a much harder job than at present. Now, as regards the allocation. At present what do we see? Fifteen or sixteen men who are entitled to three ‘days receiving two and a-half, and the majority of the four-day men receiving either three or three and ahalf days, yet these men have nearly all of them to pay rent, running from £1 or more per week to twelve shillings in a few cases only. And, may I ask, are they allowed any assistance to tide them over the fourth week? No, Sir, none. The charitable aid is forbidden them. Also should they not pay their dole they cannot have employment. What do we pay our dole for? Also what do , all the people in the Dominion pay unemployment taxation for? Surely it is so that the unemployed shall gat their full allotment of days per week, and not to see us slowly starved to a condition where we will be useless to either ourselves or the State. Thanking you, Sir, —I am, etc., G. S. PEGLAR, Tauranga, 11th August, 1932. P.S. —It is only fair to state that since writing this I understand the allocation has been increased.— G. S. P.