RELIEF OF DISTRESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 6, 7 December 1931, Page 3

RELIEF OF DISTRESS.

. POSITION IN WELLINGTON; Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. “This means actual starvation, not semi-starvation, for hundreds of families in AVellington,” declared Mr Fraser, M.P., as leader of a deputation of Labour members to the Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young, this morning to discuss the decision of tho Wellington Hospital Board to reduce the food rations to tho unemployed. The matter of house rents came under review also, and the Minister expressed surprise at the high rents landlords were demanding for houses of a poor type, into which many families were reported to be crowding in order to live more cheaply. Sympathy was not enough, tho Minister said, and he promised to help. With regard to the hospital’s position, the Minister said that it would be entitled to consideration under the recent legislation providing for £75,000 to be allocated to hospital boards. The Minister promised to consult with his colleagues and get into touch immediately with the hospital authorities to see what measures could be taken for relief. He would do his best to cooperate with those in the city who were working to relieve the distress, and nothing would he wanting on his pnrt to assist in helping the poor. A general protest against the provisions for the relief of unemployment was made by a small section of the unemployed to-day. They made representations to the Labour Bureau, but were informed that the Unemployment Committee had drawn up'certain rules. When two tried to make addresses on premises of the Defence Department the police stepped in and pulled the speakers down. A few warm words were exchanged, but nothing untoward occurred.