HOSPITAL FUNDS NOT TO BE USED TO AID WORKSHYS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6757, 9 November 1928, Page 6

HOSPITAL FUNDS NOT TO BE USED TO AID WORKSHYS

Children WiD Be Fed . NOT DESTITUTE IP JOBS ABB OFFERING UNION CONTROL. “If a man is offered work a| the flaxmills at 13s 6d a day and refuses it, is he entitled to charitable aid?’’ asked Mr. F. Alsher (Charitable Aid officer) of the Palmerston North Hospital Board yesterday. The chairman (Sir Jaa Wilson); “It seems to me that if a man is offered work and won’t take it, he can’t be classed as a destitute person and has no right to be supplied with food. The question is whether the children should be punished by the neglect of their fathers. It seems outrageous that men should be helped after refusing work.” Mr. J. A. Nosh: “It is not so much the men not working but what the agitators and bosses toll them. That is the trouble.” Mr. G. A. Monk (Horowhenua); “The women and children must become charges on ns. I think the part to he most deplored is that the secretary of the Flaxworkcrs’ Union should advise the men not to go to work but to seek charitable aid.’-’ Mr. Nash: “Was it the secretary o? the chairman 1” Mr. Monk: “I think it was the secretary. Wc don’t want to get involved in the discussion between the workers and the flaxmillers but we must provide for the women and children although in doing that, the Board will sometimes provide for the breadwinner.” . :Mr. M. A. Moody (Linton): “They ( have their union to which they can apply.” A member: “They have no money.” Mr. Moody: “If the Union won’t let them work; then they can pull out of the Union. The secretary (Mr. A. J. Phillipps) asked if ho was to pay rents, which invariably proved the biggest item and fie first that ho was asked t« meet. Mr. Monk: “That should be the last thing vou should pay.” Sir. J. G. Wilson: “Mr. Aisher ought to see first that it is. the children who are suffering and not the parents. He must make very careful inquiries. I can't understand how the Union controls the working people to such an extent. The men are willing to work but are not allowed. I think Mr. Aisher should be instructed not to give assistance to thosb who won’t work but at the same time, to see that the children are properly fed.” The Board agreed.