Protest rally against cuts

Press, 22 August 1979, Page 2

Protest rally against cuts

“What do you want? — Justice for beneficiaries. How are you going to get it? — Fight, fight, fight.” Chanting that slogan about 150 people trooped round Cathedral Square at lunctime yesterday, carrying placards protesting against the Government’s Budget cuts in benefits from October 1. After hearing speakers in the Square the protesters, mainly women and children, marched to the Social Welfare Department’s offices to let their feelings be known to the department’s regional director (Mr C. Waters). An of the protest, Mrs Lana Le Quesne, said that the beneficiaries had the support of a number of organisations. Cuts would be made in some benefits, ' but the

people concerned had not been consulted.

Mr Murray Cree told the protesters that for years beneficiaries had been scapegoats. The Christchurch Catholic Commission for Justice and Development supports the beneficiaries in their opposition to the cuts. “We believe they have the right to an adequate income to enable them to look after themselves and their dependents,” he said. “Beneficiaries are one of the lower income groups and are most liable to be attacked by many who have little understanding of their real problems.” ! The beneficiaries are circulating a which asks the Comment to review its cuts proposals. Mrs Le Quesne said all that was wanted was a return to the status quo, not an increase in benefits.