Unity For Relief Workers

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 234, 15 September 1934, Page 6

Unity For Relief Workers

(To the Editor.) .Sir, —In last evening's issue of the "Tribune” 1 read with interest a notice urging all relief workers and unemployed to, attend a mass meeting at the trades Hall on Monday evening, a “serious, definite, honest attempt to get together.” Now, Sir, this question requires very careful consideration. At the present time there are two relief workers'* associations presumably functioning in this town. The New Relief Workers’ Association, according to its constitution is purely a benevolent and philanthropic organisation. Earnest endeavours were certainly made to create benefits for a little coterie of “placeseekers,” but as regards a betterment of conditions, this never entered into the picture. On the other hand we have the N.U.W.M., which to say the least has been out of favour and has | carried no weight and so has been unable to achieve anything definite owing to lack of support. There are three distinct sections of the unemployed in Hastings and during the past twelve months concessions and privileges have been withdrawn and conditions generally have worsened and are still on the “down grade.” Hastings has the lowest allocation in the Dominion and even Napier (eleven miles distant) has a higher allocation and better conditions. There is nothing in the notice to indicate who are the convenors of this meeting but if their intentions are truly honest they certainly deserve to

bo heard. The time has certainly arrived when the unemployed of Hastings must oome into one camp and • determined effort be made to stay the drift. This can only bo attained by unity of effort and purpose and, despite all assertions to the contrary, the unemployed will have to fight out their own battle. It is up to every unemployed man and woman to attend this meeting and judge for themselves. 1> like scores of others, have taken no part or interest in either organisation for a considerable period, but I intend to be present nt this meeting and judge for myself.—Yours, etc., A.U.B. VICTIM. Hastings. 7/9/34.