FOOD RELIEF.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20274, 27 June 1931, Page 18

FOOD RELIEF.

MINISTER REVEALS FRAUDS. HEAVY COST TO NEW SOUTH WALES. (fROK OUR OWS CORRESPONDENT) SYDNEY, June 14. Food relief impositions amounting to £165,000 a year have been discovered in New South Wales, according to a statement made by the Minister for Labour (Mr Baddeley) to a deputation from the Unemployed Workers' 'Movement. The Minister warned the deputation that if any attempt were made to outwit him, they would find him a keen fighter. The deputation demanded three things: Either'-work or lull maintenance ; dismissal of the ration inspectors; the Unemployed Workers' Movement to have representation at nil food relief depots. After the Minister had replied to the deputation's request members withdrew shouting: "We are going to fight. That is our policy, law or no law. Mr Baddeley made it plain to the deputation that he would not agree to representation of the movement at the depots. Ho contended that the unemployed were better catered for through the trades union movement and the Australian Labour Party, and the sooner the unemployed recognised that the better for themselves. From reports that he had received, there was no instance where the police} had interfered with any man or woman, boy or girl, who visited the depots to obtain rations. "Figures received to date from the inspectors," said the Minister, "show that 5200 persons did not attend at their respective depots. On that basis the cost of impositions discovered amounts to £B3BO per week. This Government proposes to increase the food relief by 25 per cent, next week; but we cannot continue to do it if people in good positions, not entitled to it, tak<? it out of the months of women and children. While this continues 1 intend to go alter them. While ' am Minister I will not allow people to rob the innocent womep and children, and gloat about it. They will not "put it over me. I know the Communist Party has' told men to get as many rations as they can." One member of the deputation interrupted the Minister by saying: I have been in gaol under Bavin, and I will go to gaol again before I give up the fight To this Mr Baddeley replied: I have never been in gaol. You won't lift up your, class by going to gaol. This Government will go on relieving the situation, and will not be knocked back by any section of the community. We will use all the facilities we possess, if necessary. I disapprove of your methods and will never countenance them. these methods are used, and the peace of the community is interfered with, you wyll have me to deal with.