MR. SEMPLE'S APPEAL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 133, 3 December 1930, Page 12

MR. SEMPLE'S APPEAL

"OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER"

CALL FOR TJKGENT HELP

The -assertion that the unemployment position in New Zealand was worse than it had, been for 25 years was made to-day by Mr. B. Semple, M.P., who made an appeal to those more fortunately placed to do all they could to relieve fdistress over the holiday period at least. "I have never known the position to be worse during my2s years' residence in this country," he told a "Post" reporter, "and there does not seem to bo any change in sight. Undoubtedly there is a world depression, and we are passing through perhaps the most- serious epoch in history. lam not going to attempt to forecast the future, but what I am concerned about at the moment is the relief of distress during the holiday period, and I hope that something brighter and better will turn up in the New Year. I hope that by then the Unemployment Board will have formulated a policy which will make some real progress. Until then we have got to strain every nerve to help those who are down and out. I sincerely hope that the appeal sent out by tho Mayor will meet the response it deserves. Not only does this crisis effect those out of jobs, but it also affects the business people and the primary producers. We must marshal our forces, .forget party politics, and unite in one common effort to give relief to those who are at the moment suffering. INSTANCES OF SUFFERING. "Every day I see bright young New Zealand boys, eager ti> work, who are without boots and clothing. When we have succeeded in getting them jobs we have had to find clothing for them before they have been able to go out into the country to make a start. I have been continually appealing to friends for these unfortunate men, and the response has been wonderful. I have had women coming to me and saying that they have eviction orders and distress warrants out against them, and some of them have been expectant mothers and penniless. Another heart breaking case'is the man or woman who is not yet old enough to draw the oldage pension. They are going down the hill of. life, and when work is scarce they are not able to compete for jobs. The whole situation is a national calamity, and I do hope that those who are fortunately placed will rally- round and see that Santa Claus visits the homes of the unemployed. "ANOTHER EPIDEMIC." "When the epidemic broke out in New Zealand everyone did what they were able to relieve tho suffering of their fellow citizens. They never gave a" thought to the moment they might forfeit their own lives in the service of their friends. When a disaster takes place in a mining district the miners brush aside the thought of danger in their endeavours to rescue their comrades, and when the earthquake occurred all classes rallied to the aid .of their ruined and terror-stricken fellow citizens on the West Coast. To-day we have another epidemic in the form of unemployment, which brings in its cruel trail poverty, destitution, and possibly death. .. Let us all unite in a big effort to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We are experiencing a grave crisis and let us be in the real sense our brother's keeper."