EVICTION FROM HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 73, 19 December 1933, Page 11

EVICTION FROM HOUSE

Palmerston Relief Worker

DISCUSSION BY BOARD Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, December 18. The case of a relief worker with a wife and family of 5 children who had been evicted from their home recently was mentioned at this afternoon’s meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board in the Welfare Committee’s report. Mr. J. Hodgens moved that the officers of the board who were aware of the facts of the eviction and did not interfere should be dismissed from the board’s service. The motion was not accepted by the chairman, Mr. J. K. Hornblow, on the grounds that the officers in question were acting in accordance with the policy of the board and consequently their action should not be censured. Mr. Hodgens said that a woman and her five children had been evicted. The furniture had been removed to a public street and had been allowed to remain there during the night. When a man came to the hospital board, he was surely worthy of some consideration. The policy of the board would have to be changed. No provision was was made in the relief workers’ pay for the payment of rent. “Something has to be done by the hospital boards of the Dominion in the matter of evictions, and I would like to see this board lead the way,” concluded Mr. Hodgens. In answer to a question by Mr. A. E. Mansford, the managing-secretary, Mr. A. J. Phillipps, said the man concerned had not worked for rations.

Mr. Mansford said that the worker had not signed an order on his wages for rent until after he had been evicted. He was doubtful if the man was endeavouring to meet his responsibilities in the way he should. The managing-secretary said the officers of the board had received instructions not to assist able-bodied men. He had told the man concerned that if he gave him an order for 10/- a week he would endeavour to secure a house for him. Mr. Phillipps said that this man had been the first whose case he could not adjust and prevent an eviction. “The state of affairs existing to-day is deplorable, and has been brought about considerably by landlords building houses with no thought for people but with a desire to rake in as much rent as possible,” said Mr. J, F. Ryder.