A Bigger Population

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 255, 24 July 1936, Page 13

A Bigger Population

Sir, —Reading an account of a meeting on the above question reported in your paper of Friday last prompts me to write vou. I quite agree thpt more population is needed, but why not first see that those who are Here are provided for? From inquiries and observation I find there is a very large number of people with large families still on the bread line; for example, take my own case: I have a family of eight (none earning), and by working 12 hours a day, including Sundays, 1 have in round figures £2 per week to live on, after paying rent Last year I managed to get a family allowance of one ehilling each for the 10 of us, and because I worked a little harder and made a few shillings extra this year the family allotment was cancelled 1 then applied for sustenance, and was told because my wife conducted a small shop to help a little I could not get any he p from that quarter, and I was then told to apply to the Department of Labour employment division, where, in J was told that because we -had the business no help could be given and that I should be able to get the old-age Pension. When applying in that quarter I was again turned down because I earned over the amount allowed, and a Minister of the Crown told me to apply to the chant, able aid board. Why should anyone trying to do his duty to the country have afl this fuss and trouble? I e ay that to bring up a family as large as mine under the present conditions is simply Levin, July 20.