UNEMPLOYED MINERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1928, Page 3

UNEMPLOYED MINERS

REQUEST TO HOSPITAL BOARD.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs W. Balderstone and Eaglesham, representing the Blackball unemployed minors, attended the meeting of the Grey Hospital Board last evening and made a request for charitable aid, Mr Balderstone, the first speaker, stated the position regarding the unemployment at Blackball, and expected more men would be out of work shortly. The men were all anxious to work, but work was not to be had. They had no money on the past wages earned for broken time, it had been impossible to save anything against such conditions as had arisen. The consequence was that lhe men out of work were genuinely “hard up” and needed some relief —either work or money to sustain life. Mr Eaglesham expressed the opinion that when there was no work available, the Charitable Aid Board or the State should provide maintenance. Those out of work at Blackball who had not homes of their own, were living at boarding houses, and going into debt. The men out of work should be provided for. He hoped the Board would make an effort to assist the Blackball men.

Mr Balderstone stated there were 110 men out of work, some of them were single, who were maintaining dependents, others were married and had families. The Miners’ Union had made a levy but this would not go far.

Mr Eaglesham stated that thirty-two men were employed on the BrunnerBlackball road, but the work was only temporary, and was expected to last about a month.

Mr Balderstone said a few men had gone to work on the Buller railway, but there was not enough work there for a party. Mr Hannan pointed out that the Board could not deal with the unemployed question out of its funds, as they were only adequate for estimated needs. They could not collect a rate for the purpose. It had been previously proposed that meals should be provided for the unemployed at Black ball. This would run about five shillings per head per day, or £4O, which was quite beyond the power of the Grey Board to cope with. In the case of dire necessity, the Board would have to help, but women and children would have to come first. Mr Eaglesham contended that if the Government had money to spend, it was better to spend it assisting the unemployed, rather than on entertaining such personages as the Duke and Duchess of York. The Charitable Aid Board appeared to be the right body to appeal to for help. Mr Balderstone asked the Board to use its endeavours, either to get work or monetary relief from the Government. He felt they had the Board’s sympathy, but that would not feed them. He hoped the Board would be able to assist them in some way. Mr Hannan stated the Board could do nothing out of ordinary revenue. It might be worth while applying for a grant. It was no good talking of lating. Already the Grey ratepayers had to pay the highest rates in New Zealand. If the Board struck a rate, unemployed might come in from othei centres, and apply for relief. Mr McTaggart thought the Board should do its share to assist the unemployed, even by rating if necessary. The position was very acute. It was hard to see men going about trying to get work and going hungry. Mr Brislane moved, and Mr Harker seconded, that the Board apply to th’e Government for a straight out grant of £2OOO. to assist the unemployed.—Carried. Mrs O’Brien thought the matter of the unemployed was one for the Government to deal with, not the Hospital Board.