CENTRAL RELIEF DEPOT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21197, 22 June 1934, Page 6

CENTRAL RELIEF DEPOT

NEW PREMISES REQUIRED MR CEORGE HARPER'S APPEAL Because of - the necessity for the Metropolitan Relief Association to abtain; new premises for its Central Relief Depot, Mr George Harper, chairman of the association, yesterday made an appeal for suitable premises to be placed at the disposal of the association. "We are most grateful to Mr Blackwell who so generously placed the large building in Kilmore street at our disposal, said Mr Harper, Mr Blackwell came to our assistance at a crucial moment, and his generosity meant a great deal not only to the association but to all those in need of relief in Christchurcli. Owing to the expansion of his business, Mr Blackwell now finds that he can no longer- lend the association the building. "In consequence, the Metropolitan Relief Association's central depot is faced with the prospect of being homeless. Just as we have appealed to the public for support, we now confidently appeal to the business men of Christchurch to provide us with suitable accommodation for the Central Relief Depot. I feci certain that somewhere in the city, within reasonable distance of the square—we do not ask for an expensive central situation—there is a building which would be suitable for our purposes. "Any building offered to us must be sufficiently large to provide office run' store accommodation, and workins room for 23 bootmakers. All we want is a building, as we are prepared to make any temporary alteraj lion's, which, structurally, would not be of a permanent nature, and would not affect the building for future i'sc" Mr Harper explained that the Central Relief Depot had to undertake Ihe work of assisting more than 2.>00 families during -the winter months. Without suitable accommodation it would be impossible to discharge the task eflicicntly. WET DAY DISPUTE SOME RAPAKI MEN TO LOSE PAY In reply to the representations made by the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) on behalf of the men engaged on the relief work on the Summit road (Rapaki job) who are not to be paid a full day's pay for Tuesday because they ceased work before the day was officially declared wet, Mr Sullivan yesterday received a telegram from Mr C. J. McKenzie, Engineer-in-Chief, Public Works Department, which was un favourable. As the men concerned will be losing the greater portion of their pay for the day, and, consequently, will be in need of some assistance, Mr Sullivan has arranged for a special ration, the cost of which is to be borne by the Mayor's Relief of Distress Fund, to be issued to them to-day. It will be available at the Central Relief Depot. I The men on the Rapaki job were I paid yesterday. | CHARGE AGAINST LOCAL BODY FALSE PRETENCES ALLEGED j \i*tu:<s auiocia no*. i'k;.ki;uam.» ! NEW PLYMOUTH, June :M. | An allegation that a local body which lie did not name was drawing money I from the Unemployment Board under I false pretences was made by Mr J. P. i Whalen, representing the Relief Workjcrs'. Union, when the Hon. Adam Hamj ilton, Minister for Employment, heard | a deputation to-day. Mr Whalen said relief workers were being employed at relief rates on many classes of work on which they could not rightfully be employed at relief rates. If that slate of affairs was allowed to continue, the unemployment problem would never be overcome. He also drew attention to the fact that some men held seats on both local bodies and unemployment relief committees. The Minister noted the complaint, but made no comment.