WATERFRONT WORK AND RELIEF.

Evening Star, Issue 22070, 2 July 1935, Page 5

WATERFRONT WORK AND RELIEF.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—l am a waterside worker, a married man and part-time relief worker when I am lucky enough to get it. Last month I earned £2 4s 8d on the Port waterfront. I applied for relief in the usual way, and have been turned down for the July period, asj made over the average in the month of May. Therefore tho £2 4s 8d has to keep myself and wife for a whole month and perhaps longer. A I was in a tight corner I apipiod to the Returned Soldiers’ Association for assistance. I have belonged to the association for some years and am a financial member. They gave me one day at Chisholm Park at 10s the day. My wife' applied for coal the other day at the Dowling street depot, and, although she had my unemployment card, was refused on the grounds that I was not actually working on the foreshore. Anderson’s Bay. I contend therefore that the regular relief worker is better off than his comrade who is on the breadline on the waterfront. He at least has work found for him and boots that we are denied, and his wages are not taxed. We on the other liand, have to pay union fees and railway fares, and we do not share in the 4s reduction in the quarterly levy. I have* made inquiries and found that we are not allowed to become regular relief workers, or allowed to go on sustenance unless disabled. And this is the treatment a man receives who served overseas as a sailor in various ships through the danger zones during the war, _carrying troops and foodstuffs, munitions of war in one ship, a captured German liner, often without means of defence, as we carried no guns, and relied on an escort which was often wanting.— I am. etc., July 1. Tin Dowxhaxii,.