OUT OF WORK

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 23 May 1930, Page 11

OUT OF WORK

•MASS DEPUTATION

REQUESTS TO MINISTERS

MR. EOEBES'S'EEPLY

With banners flying, a deputation of about sixty-five members of the Unemployed Workers' Organisation marched through'tho streets of Wellington to-day and awaited on the Ministers of the Crown at tho Parliamentary Buildings. There they wore met by tho Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Agriculture and Lands, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister of Labour, and the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works. Six speakers the views of the men before the Ministers, urging the provision of work for all, and Sailing that immediate relief for those in distress. Mr. Forbes replied on behalf of the Government. He said that the Government fully realised the seriousness of tho position, which was the resultof an economic depression out of their control, but stated that the Government was doing everything in its power by providing relief works and hastening on other work, to find employment for those who were suffering as tho result of the depression. He also stated 'that the Government was investigating the position of charitable , relief and hoped to set up committees in the centres to deal with cases of distress. Tho secretary of the unemployed organisations, Mr. S. H. Chapman, said that the deputation was the result of a meeting yesterday and another this morning. Tho question of relief for distressed families and shelter and food for singlo men was an urgent one. A large number at jiresent had to sleep out, and they ran tho risk of being arrested as rogues and vagabonds. On one night recently., there had been 61 sleeping in Newtown Park and many because of the lack of meals were physically unable to do heavy work. They did not want charity, they wanted work, but something would have to be done immediately for those in distressed circumstances. He proposed that tents from the Defence Department 6hpuld be erected for the use of the unemployed or that Trentham camp should be used until work was found. The men to-cfay were being driven desperate. Mr. Forbes: "Hare you registered at the Bureau?" Mr. Chapman: "Yes, all of us arc registered. ■ There is one matter in connection with the Labour Bureau. There are men who don't go round to the Bureau, because it is only if you catch tho eye of the departmental officer that you will get work. Some get work after being out several months and others after a few days. My name appeared in the paper this morning as secretary of our organisation, and to-day I was offered work on Wednesday." "HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH." Mr. O'Grady said that he had a home to go to and did occasional work on tho wharf, and was present to state the case of some of the others. The Sisters of Compassion in Buckle street ■were providing for the unemployed and were relieving the1 Government of tho responsibility. They could find money to .entertain Boyalty and it was their duty to find food for those in distress. ; The United Party, he granted, had done more since it had come into power than the other Governments, but it had not done enough. The chairman, Mr. 11. Griffon, said that under, tho prose Tit social system they could not get rid of unemploy-: xnent, but ho wished to- impress on the Ministers the necessity for immediate' relief. The Ministers had said that they were .busy men, but they would be busier still if they did not do something to alleviate- the position. Mr. Forbes: "You must state your case and speak without abusing us." ' Mr. Griffon: "This matter requires immediate attention. There are men sleeping in Newtown Park, and their requests should bo met immediately." Mr. Forbes: "You don't want to anticipate our answer. We have come here to listen to yourjease. If you are a genuine agitator for these men you ■want to state your case to the best of your ability." ' Mr. Griffon: "The present economic system will not solvo the problem. 'If you don't give immediate relief you may push us into a bigger problem." Mr. Veitch: "What is the bigger problem?" A voice: "Hungry people will not sit still." . Mr. Griffen said that they wanted ■work at full tratle union wages. The Arbitration Court had fixed a minimum wage and as tho Government "supported, the Court they had the right to pay that wage. He was fit only for light work, and had been told that it was no uso his applying for light work at tho bureaux.' They wanted tho publication of the unemployment figures and tho work available. The men out of work were becoming demoralised. A LITTLE COURTESY. The nest speaker approached tho table at which the Cabinet Ministers were sitting with his hat on. Mr. Forbes: "Would you mind taking your hat off?" The speaker: "I'don't think it makes much difference." Mr. Forbes: "It is only a little courtesy that I think should be shown." Voices: "Take it off." The speaker obeyed, ana went on to state a case which had been covered by the previous speakers. Mr. Sandford supported "Comrade" Griffen in his request for immediate relief. He knew that the Government could not do anything under tho present economic— — (pause) Mr. Veitch: "System." Mr. Sandford said that with his wife , and child he was living with another ' man who was earning about £4 per week, and this man could not carry on with his rent. Mr. Wilson said that with his wife and eight children ho had been travelling about the country with a horse and cart. If they could not find work for him they could send, Mm, back to .iMs own country to starve there. It was a shame- that people who were out of work should be evicted from their houses. Mr. Forbes: "What about the people dependent on tho rent' of houses for their living? There arc plenty of those people. They cannot support the tenant -week after week." A Voice: "Those out of work can'fc pay rent." Mr. Forbes: "If a man has been in work twelve months, he should bo able to hang on for a few days." Mr. Wilson: "If ho is out of work a fe/v days he has nothing loft, the cost of living is too high." Mr. Bansom: "Why didn't you take relief work at Haywards when it was offered to you?" Mr. Wilson: "I thought I could better myself." . • . . • Mr. Cooper declared that he had been brought out to this country under false pretences. He was told there was work for all. He would rather go through the Dardanelles and Mous again than face the present position. WOMAN SPEAKER. Mrs. Wilson, the wife- of a previous speaker, said that tho Hospital Buard had turned her and her eight children down three times. How were they expected to rear a family in Now Zealand? Sobbing, the speaker said that ••*--»• wanted a change of work. "1

don't want to go to the Hospital Board," she said. "I want my husband to be put on relief work in tho country. I will see that he docs his job thoroughly. If ho doesn't, I will, and*l am British." In reply, Mr. Forbes said that tho Ministers'had heard the deputation because they wanted to do their best for them. When they had said that they wore busy men they meant that they did not want toJisten to oration.s, but to simply have tho facts placed before them. MINISTER REPLIES. "I agree with the speakers who said that the Government was not able to solve the problem. This is a time of depression. When times ,are good there is plenty of money available and work can be found for all, but when the money is not. available we get-unem-ployment. Every country in tile world is experiencing this depression —there is no avoiding these cycles. "When there is a drop of about £ 10,000,000 in the prices we receive for our products there is bound to be less money .about, and consequent unemployment. However, we will do anything in our power to relievo the position. The Government has already provided relief works that have an economic; value. It is suicidal putting men on works of no value, but the Government is endeavouring to push forward every work it can and hasten those in progress. It is also subsidising local bodies and assisting them in every way. At the present time we are preparing a programme for unemployment relief in the coming winter ihe Government is "investigating all classes of works, such as roads and railways. These are works necessary for the development of the country. The Minister said that there was a certain obligation on the part of local bodies and private citizens as well as on tho Government to do what they could for the unemployed. The Government could not do everything. There was to be a meeting of local' bodies m Wellington next week for the purpose of seeing what provision could be made for the relief of distress, and he hoped that there would be similar meetings in other centres. The Publics Works Department had put 148 men on relief works since the last deputation, and 150 more men as soon as possible. There would be 130 starting on Tuesday next. They had to provide accommodation, for these men and this was being done' with-all possible speed. A voice: "There arc no boards in the tents." -- ■■' Mr. Ransom: "They have wooden floors." Mr. ■ Forbes said that when immediate relief was required it was not always able to fit up the tents properly, but the men could get a bit of scrub for the floors. A voice: "You don't have to put up with it." Mr. Forbes:: "I have slept in' a tent without a floor for weeks at a time. Tho men should recognise that the Government is doing their best for them and not approach every offer with a spirit of criticism. They should, try themselves to help to solve the problem." Mr. Sandford: "What about immediate shelter?" WORK OF HOSPITAL BOARDS. The Minister said that funds had been given to the hospital boards for the-relieving of cases of distress. They could not expect the Government to do everything. In this matter it had delegated its powers to the hospital boards. Ho would make representations to the hospital boards on this matter. Mr. O'Grady: "What about shelter at Buckle street? You aro only sidetracking." • Mr. Forbes said that whenever the Government had endeavoured to point out what was being dono tho critics had said that nothing was being done. They would not' even listen. In the cases of immediate relief it was their duty to approach the local bodies. . Mr. Griffen: "You refer us to them and they refer us. to you, and nothing is done." Mr. Forbes: "I want to point out what is the position—what wo have done and what we are doing. _ You want to charge us with doing nothing. A voice: "Sir Joseph Ward did'a lot, but you have done nothing." • Mr. Forbes:. "Sir Joseph Ward' is still Prime Minister of the country.", NUMBER ON RELIEF WORKS. The Minister said that :at the present time there were 2005 men on Government relief works, including forestry. This was a greater number than ever before, and he- was going to ask the I co-operation of every local body m order that as much work as possible should be provided. Mr. Sandford: 'What about tho rotary system of giving work?", Mr Forbes: "I don't know what you mean Is it that work should be rationed if there is not enough to go round? That might be. all. right." Mr Chapman alleged that some men had been favoured at the bureau, ancl they wanted the length of time out of work to count when there wore jobs available. , ' - . Mr. Forbes said that he would inquire into the matter. A voice asked if anything could be done along the lines suggested by. Mr. E. M'Kcen, M.P., of - providing employment on the construction of the carillon and other big works that were proposed. ''•■,,■ Mr. Forbes said that all possible works would be put under way. Mr. Griffen: "AVehavc come here asking for immediate shelter, and as far as I can see you have not given a satisfactory answer. I'll ask the men if they arc satisfied." Voices: "No." ' . Mr Griffen: "I wish to move a vote of no-confideuco in the Government and ask that they resign immediately. I will ask you to show your approval of this motion by shouting out loudly. There was a loud chorus of JSoes. Mr. Forbes: "I want, to thank you for your vote, and I wish to -Bay. that in spite of it we will do our best.