RELIEF WORKERS' PLIGHT.

Franklin Times, Volume XXII, Issue 59, 23 May 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

RELIEF WORKERS' PLIGHT.

SERIOUS POSITION AT PAPAKURA.

j STAND-DOWN WEEK PROBLEM. | "SHOULD BE ABOLISHED." i REPRESENTATIONS TO PRIME \ MINISTER. | STRONG COMMITTEE SET UP. I A public meeting called by the men working under the unemployment ( scheme, was held on Thursday evening. Mr D. Weir, chairman of the I Papakura Town Board, presided over a large attendance representative of the social and commercial life of the I town.

The meeting was held to consider ways and means of improving the lot of the worker under the unemployment scheme.

; The Rev. J. F. Martin, Methodist Minister, expressed the opinion that by giving more assistance to the Welfare League probably more good would accrue from this more than any other. It would certainly be able to relieve, to some extent, cases of distress. He therefore recommended supporting the ladies of the welfare league. The Rev. W. G. Wood, vicar of Papakura, and member of the Hospital Board, said he saw every week about 250 families between Papakura and Papatoetoe and thought the position called for one of defence. He could see no reason why Papalfura should be treated differently to any other place in the Dominion. The town board, hospital board and himself had all sent "singing wires" to the Government on the subject, and the reply was always "tile position is being looked into." Mr Wood urged the raising of an internal loan of £5,000,000 as one way of improving things. Me criticised the iO-acre farm scheme as most of the land would only milk three or four cows all the year round and was only second class land into the bargain. He thought 20 or 30 acres would be required. It had been stated, said the speaker, fh'at neighbouring farmers could employ these men, but he was of the opinion that no farmers were in. a position to pay men for work. As far as the Hospital Board was concerned it never refused anyone a meal, but there were grave difflcuties about boots and clothing. A man came to him the other day, shockingly clothed. He managed to dig out some old "cast offs" of his own to fix the man up. The clothing question was a real difficulty. The Rev. Father Duffy said he firstly was of the opinion that all such meetings should open witn prayer, and secondly that something should be done on the lines suggested by the Rev. Martin. Greater assistance, he considered, should be given in this direction.

Amounts Earned.

Mr A. Cook, a local relief worker, quoted figures of a man with a wife and family of seven children. His wages for a month were between £5 and £6, made up as follows: First week, £1 6s 6d; second week, £2 Is; third week, £1 9s; fourth week, stand down. This man received £1 2s from the Charitable Aid Board in the stand down week.

I Mr Weir explained the system of alI location. His first point was that new men qoming into the town were | looked upon as taking something away I from the Papakura men. Papakura's I portion was budgeted for 14 days prej viously. New men applied for a job but could not start under 14 days". j "Therefore they do not bring down the j allocation," said Mr Weir. I Mr J. Tidily said he saw no rea- ! son why local men should not be on ! the same footing as the city men. j Something should be done to bring to ! the notice of the Government the desI ;crate situation of the men in this ! district. His opinion was that the ! commit Lee should resign. The Gov- ! eminent had had plenty of time to look ! info things and now it has given itself at extra year to look into the matter. ; -\lr H. 1). Spinley said he differed with the Rev. Wood over the 10-acre farms. lie maintained a man could make a living off 10 acres. Captain Gowor. of the Salvation Army, said the army was doing all it cr.uld, and would continue to do its share. "The men have our very sincere sympathy. it is no use. waiting for the Government to do something. Something must be done locally," was ' the Captain's opinion. On the suggestion of Rev. W. G. Wood, a motion was carried that this meeting of citizens communicate with Ihe Prime Minister stating that it regrets 1 lio unequal allocations which have been coming througli for a long lime, and hoped the matter would soon he remedied, and requests that, standdown week be abolish eel as soon as possible.

The mooting set up the following committee to interview Mr .T. N. Masscy: Mr M. Weir, chairman of the town board; Row T. F. Martin, representing Ihe clergy; Mr W. P. Mnllraith. representing business men: nart Messrs A.

W. Blair and A. Cook the relief work-

ers. The committee is to interview Mr Massey as early as possible. All relief workers paid a glowing tribute to the work of Mrs (Dr.) Gross and Mrs E. Busing, of the Welfare League.