RUNANGA UNEMPLOYED.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 June 1933, Page 3

RUNANGA UNEMPLOYED.

[to the editor.] Sir,—ln the “Star” of Tuesday last, was published' a list of the latest contributions raised in Runanga, towards the establishment of a children’s ward at the Greymouth Hospital. . The people of Runanga, and those responsible tor securing such a line response whereby the township raised more than £137, are to be commended. I remember reading, in a report of a recent Hospital Board meeting that Mr R. McTaggart stated that lie had been disappointed at. the apparent apathy of the Grey district public in interesting themselves in the matter of raising funds for this object, lie remarked that Runanga appeared to be the only quarter that had attempted any serious campaign, He was right at. that time, and if he should repeat, his asertion to-day, he would i still he right. So far as the borough .of Greymouth is concerned, it was decided by those who had intended launching a campaign for the assistance of this object, that it would be best to hold it over meantime, as the people were now saddled with calls to help the unemployed. The Mayor’s Pnnd' was sorely in need of cash and kind, and the winter threatened to be severe on the unemployed. That, in my opinion, was a wise decision. The public 01 Greymouth are now concentrating on giving what they can to tire unemployed. 1 have been a long lime in getting to my point, but it is this. While Air McTaggait has been doing his “bit" for the Hospital, has he, as Mayor of Runanga, been doing his duly Io Ihe unemployed’.' Nothing has been attempted for them since last October. They have had Io be content with tinGovernment allocation. Now, as il is possible for Runanga. to raise C 137 towards a children’s ward,' and apparently raise the money without incurring hardship, would it not have been more in keeping with “necessity,” if the money had been raised for the relief of unemployment? The money that Runanga has raised for the 1 children’s ward will not be required for some time to come. It will “earmarked" and put aside. Who of the contributors would object if the Mayor of Runanga asked their permission to devote it to i the channel of unemployment relief?) Quite probably when the day draws near for the serious appeal for funds 1

to help the children’s ward, many of the unemployed who would receive assistance from the distribution of that. £137, would' be in a position to make a donation for the other cause. The children at the hospital lack nothing in food, and warmth. —the unemployed and their dependents do.—l am, etc.., THE GREATER NEED.