UNEMPLOYMENT DEMONSTRATION

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21257, 31 August 1934, Page 18

UNEMPLOYMENT DEMONSTRATION

TO THE IDITOH OP THE PEI33. Sir,—The local Unemployment Committee, in agreeing to the request of the Canterbury Unemployed Workers' Association to change the date of its meeting so that a deputation of demonstrators may wait on it on Wednesday, September 5, will meet with general approval. Many of the sympathisers with the relief workers in their plight, both employed workers and business men, have from time to time stated that they were surprised at the great patience which they have displayed, and are now pleased to note a spirit of greater militancy, exceeding even that which was displayed in the strike of 1932. The methods of attack adopted by the Unemployment Board of continual oppressive schemes, such as those of the garden, married men's camp, and subsidy schemes, cuts in wages, and time, and lastly the 5 per cent, sustenance, have undoubtedly been the proverbial last straw, and we now find the city will witness the spectacle of thousands of our fellow-citizens taking part in a stop-work demonstration of protest which must be considered seriously and met with great tact and sympathy, failing which this demonstration may only be the forerunner of greater ones not only in Christchurch, but also throughout the country, which, if not handled correctly, may shake us all out of our lethargy. The committee has shown the way to the rest of the city, and I hope that the Mayor, councillors, and other public men will rally to the call, and use every endeavour to assist the- relief workers in their fight for better conditions.—Yours, etc., ONE WHO WILL DEMONSTRATE. August 23, 1934. [The Unemployment Committee has agreed to meet at 3 p.m. on Wednesday next to receive delegates from the Canterbury Unemployed Workers' Association.!