REPLY TO A COUPLE OF “CITIZENS.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 252, 21 September 1933, Page 2

REPLY TO A COUPLE OF “CITIZENS.”

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Is “Citizen’s” letter worthy of a reply? “Citizen No. 2” shows an even greater display of ignorance of tho subject matter. Tho average relief worker is quite prepared to take his fair share of sacrifice, but he most certainly objects to the class of criticism indulged in by these two correspondents. What a sense of humour “Citizen” possesses; if the lot of of tho relief worker is so much better than his, why, in the name of common sense, doesn’t he go on to relief, and leave his job, or his business, to someone who could put a little more intelligence into it than he has exhibited in his letter. If “Citizen” ever earned from £6 to £l2 per week, and was now on relief work, at 26s 3d per week—which, by the way, is not the average, and for which he has to work every week—would he consider that he was never better off in his life than now? The rations are worth about the day at 10s that is worked for them —not 16s; the boots issued by the Government are good value for tho day’s work; but a pass to a football match will not fill the almost dozen mouths at my table each day. “Citizen’s” statement that the amount of work done by relief workers is in the main negligible is an unjustifiable slur on the bulk of the men, and the foreman in charge of them. It is almost nauseating to refer to the letter over “Citizen No. 2.” Has he ever seen Form W.B. 32 that the relief worker has to fill in? Why on earth will men betray such ignorance? I am not a recognised debater; but I am prepared to debate this question with either of these two “Citizens”—we then might bring to light some definite information, and the public become more genuinely acquainted with facts, for the general good of themselves and the relief workers, hundreds of whom, after fighting against odds till they have been forced to that against which their manhood revolts day by day, cry earnestly.—“ How long, O Lord, how long.”—l am, etc., BREAKING POINT.