UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION

Evening Star, Issue 20510, 14 June 1930, Page 26

UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION

EXCELLENT WORK OF RELIEF DEPOT LETTERS SHOW DEEP APPRECIATION The names of 400 unemployed, who have well over 1,000 dependents, are registered on the books at the Trades Hall relief depot. This affords a practical demonstration of the distress that does exist in the city and of the task that confronts the Citizens’ Relief Committee in alleviating that distress. That the efforts of the committee are being deeply appreciated is shown by the mass of letters Mr Neilson, the secretary, has received. The letters below are examples:— “Just a note of grateful thanks for the coal and food order I received last Wednesday.” “ Many thanks for the coal I received from you generous people yesterday. No words of mine can express my thanks. May God always prosper and guide you in all you do for the benefit of the children and the widows and the poor in distress.” (This letter was from a lady 87 years of ago. In connection with this case Mr Neilson states that, besides money, he has had other' offers of assistance and also inquiries as to why the old lady is not receiving a pension. Unfortunately she has been in the dominion for only eighteen years. Mr Neilson remarks that it does appear as a case for a reduction in the twentyfive years’ qualification now required.) “ Having been lucky enough to obtain two weeks’ work, I wish to thank you, on behalf of my wife, children, and self, for the kindness shown to us while I was unemployed. If it had nob been for the help given me by your committee I would nave been hungry . and cold and forced to see my wife j and children in the same position.” 1 (This man owes his grocer £ll 5s and his landlord £7.) , “ I now take the pleasure of writing to thank you for the manner in which | you have helped mo out of difficulties. | I appreciate what you did for me withI out delay when I let you know how 1 1 was situated with my six children.” J “Thank you so much for the order i last week. I would appreciate a little each week in the meantime. Could you do anything to get mo reinstated on the Drainage Board? Some men with : big families have been started again. 1 am getting the three days, and will notify you if I get work. If you could assist a little until I am successful I would bo grateful. With best wishes for the cause you are working for.” “I have been down at tho Trades I Hall on Monday and Tuesday mornings, ' but there were so many women there that I could not wait, as my husband has been ill for eight months and is not better yet. 1 cannot leave him for long. My son is out of work now, and ho was our only support. There are three children to keep. 1 would like some coal to keep us warm iu this cold weather. Could you get some for me?” “ I think these letters give some idea of the work we are doing and how it is appreciated by those who, before we started, could see nothing but desolation and despair in front o? them,” .stated Mr Neilson. “ The committee has been instrumental in fanning the light of hope into a flame. It may be a small one, but it is still a flame. If we receive the assistance we require the flame will burn more brightly and generate love arid sympathy in the hearts 1 j of all of us. both givers and receivers, j

But it is work they all want. These men are being demoralised by having to submit to conditions which should not obtain in this young country. However, that is another problem, and in the meantime our job is to feed, clothe, and warm those in distress.”