UNEMPLOYED WORKERS' MOVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21715, 9 May 1934, Page 11

UNEMPLOYED WORKERS' MOVEMENT

The weekly meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Central branch, N.U.W.M., was hold on Monday evening. Mr George Geddes occupied the chair, and welcomed the new members of the executive. Correspondence was read from the secretary, Dunedin Workers’ Friendly Association, the town clerk (Mr G. A. Levvin), and New Zealand Typewriter Company. The secretary gave a full report of the first meeting of the Unemployed District Council of Otago, which was recently formed. Various accounts were submitted and passed for payment. The financial statement of the May Day celebrations was adopted. A report of a deputation by Mr Gilchrist on an interview with the hospital doctors regarding the reclassification of unemployed men for camps was received. It was agreed to affiliate with the District Council, and delegates were instructed to support Mr J. Hastie as president of the council. The secretary of the Social Committee stated that Miss Ruby Baxter had agreed to entertain the unemployed with her full concert party in the Trades Hall on Thursday, May 31. Speakers for Sunday afternoon meetings were selected as follow :—At Oval: Messrs C. M'Arthur, .1. Townley, M. Silverstone, and A. B. Powell. At Hancock Park; G. Dale, S. Ikin, G. Geddes, and M. O’Rorke. SUSTENANCE MEN AND THE LEVY [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 9. “It is impossible for men on sustenance to pay rent and provide food,” said the Rev. T. Halliday at a meeting of the Metropolitan Unemployed Relief Committee. He said that the sustenance policy had greatly increased the committee’s difficulties. Applications for assistance had increased, and as no deserving cases were turned down a large sum could soon be distributed. He said no men with three or more children were being scut to camp, but the sustenance payment was quite inadequate. The Mayor (Mr Hutchison) said it was impossible for many of the men on sustenance to carry on. Mr Halliday said it was unfair that sustenance men should have to pay the unemployment levy. This had been pointed out to the Unemployment Board, which had replied: “No levy, no relief.” Single men who received 7s 6d weekly had to pay 5s for lodging, and in a week they had to pay the quarterly levy. They received 2s 6d altogether. It was decided to inform the board that men on sustenance should not be asked to pay any levy, but at least thev should not have to pay more than half.