UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21570, 16 November 1933, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

REDUCED ALLOCATIONS GISBORNE’S PROTEST [Peh United Press Association.] GISBORNE, November 15. As a protest against the cut in the relief pay allocation a crowd of about 300 men, women, and children assembled in the Cook Hospital grounds today while a deputation went inside the building and interviewed the special committee of the Cook Hospital Board. The speakers stressed the hardship suffered through the new scale, pointing out the impossibility of living on such rates. Under the new scale a married man without children gets 17s 6d weekly, with one child 18s 9d weekly, with two children £1 weekly, with three children £1 2s Gd weekly, with four children £1 ss, with live children £1 7s 6d weekly, and with six or more £1 10s. The speakers asked how it was possible to pay rent and buy food on those wages. The board was asked to give sustenance to the families of men who had to stand down because of their refusal to go into camp, to prevent the eviction of relief workers, and to give general relief in necessitous cases. The Acting Chairman (Mr Howard Kenway) said the board was sympathetic and would render as much assistance as was possible. The scope of tho board’s activities was limited by the amount of finance and by law. The board invited necessitous cases to put in an application and an investigation would be made, and if found satisfactory assistance would be granted. Mr Kenway impressed on the deputation that this was the last time the board could assist. The board could do nothing with regard to evictions, though perhaps the Mortgagors’ Relief Act could be made applicable, but that was merely his own suggestion. The board could do nothing in respect of cases where men had to stand down for refusing to work at camp. Mrs Beer, a member of the board, said the Hospital Board recognised that by its help it was relieving the Unemployment Board of responsibility, but in tho circumstances what else could the Hospital Board do but render assistance.

At the conclusion of the meeting Mr Kenway sent the following telegram to the Minister of Employment (Mr Hamilton): —“Hospital Board met large deputation of unemployed this morning stressing very serious position caused by recent reduction in allocation. Statements made to ns by deputation are borne out by official figures and cannot be refuted, showing deplorable condition of many families owing to recent cuts. The board is awaiting reasonable decision by yourself, which you cannot refuse. The board is granting relief in urgent cases, but on clear understanding that no further help will be available from this board’s funds in any cases caused by unemployment. Can only reaffirm responsibility lies' now with your department.” At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon it was decided to support the protest made by local bodies and others against the cut in the relief work allocation. GOLD MINERS' COMPLAINT CHARGE FOR TENTS [F«OK Gun PIEUAItENTAET REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, November 15. Unemployed gold miners have made complaints as to the charges for tents supplied to them, and the matter was represented to the Hon. A. Hamilton by Air F. Jones (Dunedin South), who stated that the average charge is £5 Is Bd. While some of the men got new tents, others were supplied with old ones, for which the charge is considered excessive and higher than that charged for tents of similar quality sold The Minister has replied that the cost of tents is usually deducted from the proceeds of gold won, the rate of refund for this or any other mining equipment supplied being 50 per cent, of the value of gold won during 'currency of the subsidised assistance. It is not possible to make uniform arrangements for the supply of tent accommodation, this being left to the discretion of the mining executive committees of county councils. The board prefers that where public works tents can be procured they should be supplied. The full cost is not debited to the men unless they win sufficient gold. “ Recently,’’ adds the Minister, “ the board received advice that no further supplies of public works tents will be available for this scheme, so that there is a possibility in future of the tents being obtained at a lesser price from private firms for issue to the men in Central Otago, although such tents will not possibly have the same lasting qualities.” CENTRAL MISSION'S APPEAL The third of a series of community sings in the interests of the Central Mission Christinas activities will be held in the Octagon Theatre at 12.30 tomorrow. An attractive programme has been arranged and a good attendance is anticipated. The Central Mission is sending out approximately 500 Christmas parcels costing 10s each. Several persons who will be receiving parcels are in their eighties and are bed-ridden. One hundred and fifty mothers and children are to be taken into camp at Company Bay, and financial assistance is urgently needed to carry on this work. The Central Mission phone is 18-844, and donations will be gratefully received. ROSLYN DEPOT The monthly combined meeting of the executive and general committee of the Roslyn depot was held last Tuesday. Correspondence was received from A lit M. Don, organiser for the mayor s Christmas treat and seaside excursion for children of the unemployed; also concerning a street collection 'on December 1 for the same purpose. Offers from ladies of Roslyn district willing to assist in the collection will be gratefully received. Reports from the various departments were considered satisfactory. The next sale of goods will be held on the last Friday of November. The Chairman gave a resume of the business transacted at the last meeting of the central executive. Votes of thanks were passed to Airs Heenan and Airs Wilkinson for assisting Airs Dr Falconer; to Alesdames Aleo and Chapman for organising and sewing for the nnemploved; to Airs Lothian, of Kaikorai School* £or making children’s

nightdresses; to Mr Wallace for giving tickets for the Adcock benefit concert; to Mr Fergus for sugar, to Mrs Calleudar for tea, and to the Rev. J. W. Smith for cash. Two cots and bedding, a small table, and a piece of linoleum are urgently required. ACTIVITIES AT NO. 1 DEPOT Owing to the improvement in the climatic conditions the amount of business transacted at No. 1 depot has noticeably decreased, and the executive has decided to close the boot and clothjng department on December 2, reopening on January 26. Coal orders will continue to be taken on Tuesday and Friday until further notice is given. In order to assist in the raising of funds for the mayor’s Christmas treat for the children of tlie unemployed the executive would be pleased to accept the services of twelve ladies who would be willing to assist in the street collecting on Friday, December 1. METHOD SYNOD ON RELIEF WORK A COMPULSORY RATIONAL INSURANCE FUND [Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 16. The report on unemployment presented to the Methodist Synod by the Investigation Committee stated that the opinion of the committee was unanimous that the present system of relief work had resulted in such a loss of morale that in its way as tragic as hunger. The committee was concerned that" the public mind had not paid sufficient attention to this aspect ot the case. It was of the opinion that this aspect should be brought to the iciy forefront of discussion. This was passed by the Synod, also other resolutions commending to the Government the institution of a compulsory national insurance fund as a method of adequately guarding against the evils of unemployment in the corninn- davs, and that the pay should be adequate to meet the bare needs of life food, clothes, and rent.