Must Act Quickly to Save a Crisis

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7064, 25 January 1933, Page 7

Must Act Quickly to Save a Crisis

Single Unemployed in Desperate Plight

Minister's Tardy Reply to Mayor’s Appeal

“It is necessary to act quickly if we arc going to save a crisis in our city,” wrote the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Hansford) to the Minister of. Employment (Jlon. A. Hamilton) on Tuesday of last week when drawing attention to ihc position of relief workers in Palmerston North. Despite this appeal no reply had been received by tho Mayor yesterday and following a deputation "which waited on him yesterday morning, Mr. Hansford was prompted to telegraph the Minister. He wired'as follows:

some men have bccu allowed to go

back temporarily. Mr. De Clccnc alleged at this stage that tbo chairman of the board was trying to “ride the high horse.” The board chairman: I am not going to allow you to dictate to me. Have you been to the Government certifying officer? Members of the deputation: Yes, and he is putting our case before the Minister of Employment this afternoon. The board chairman: And meanwhile you ask us to provide sustenance? Voices: Yes. “Wo absolutely refuse to go to the camps, anyway,” stated another speakpr. “It is 7s a week and you stay there for the rest of your life.” The chairman of the board: Wo cannot wave a wand and produce iuu money. That set asido for charitable relief purposes has been expended. You are coming to a practically bankrupt board so far as iinanco is concerned. Here is a bill for £S37 for unfortunate indigent cases sent away for treatment. Wc are trying to help families and have no means to assist single unemployed men, Tho deputation urged that pressure should bo brought to boar on the Unemployment Board. The . chairman said the committee had, at its last meeting, forwarded a telegram to tho Minister (Mr. Coates,' asking for the continuance of the meat, issue and for a grant for the local Central Relief Committee. The Minister had replied that the matter was receiving attention. “Four hundred single men arc in a desperate position,” said Mr. Do Clccnc. “I will tell you, and I am not going to beat about tho bush, that thing’s aro moving. You must understand the position. The single men cannot go on much longer.” “I am really sorry, but there is nothing we can do for you as a board,” said tho chairman, who added, however, that a telegram would be despatched immediately to the Unemployment Board.

“A largo deputation of single men threaten extreme measures unless the position is improved. See my letter of 17th inst. The matter is urgent.” Lato last night a reply came to hand from tho Minister, reading: “In reply your telegram, instructions have already been given for local singlo unemployed to be considered in exactly tho same Way as single men generally and under the same conditions.” .

Tho Hospital Board received a similar reply last evening. After drawing the Minister’s attention to the resolution passed at tho meeting held in tho Opera House last week, tho Mayor wroto as follows in his letter mentioned in the telegram:— “The position hero has now become very acute since the Central Relief Committee ceased issuing rations, and many people are now unable to buy sufficient food and pay their rent. Those that are endeavouring to meet their obligations with rent aro going short of food and those that aro getting food aro not paying their ront, and it is only a matter of time when a very serious position will be reached. Further, I would like to point out that when it bccamo necessary for single men to be medically examined to get exemption from camp, no fewer than 114 here were classified as unfit for the singU men’s camp by tho medical superintendent at tho Palmerston North Hospital. A great majority of these men are receiving 7s Gd per week and you will appreciate the fact that it is impossible for these men to make both ends meet. Further than that, I have to advise you that one man was about to commit suicide when he was just stopped in time. This sort of thing cannot be allowed to go on.

“There aro many other distressing facts -which it is unnecessary for me to bring to your notice as no doubt you arc well aware of them. Something more than is being done at present will have to be done. Personally, I am of opinion that if the rations of meat and other necessities can be issued as has been done by tho Central Relief Committee for the past two years, it will meet the position but unless this is dono I state in all seriousness that a serious crisis will arise in this city. I do most earnestly entreat you to use your best endeavours. “It was costing the Unemployment Board during tho last few months £6O to £BO per week to assist the Central Relief Depot. In addition to that there was the meat ration. It is a very small payment to make to meet the position and I most seriously entreat you to see if this cannot bo rearranged through the Unemployment Board. It is necessary to act very quickly if we are going to save a crisis in our city.” Speakers for the deputation which waited on tho Mayor yesterday morning said that it was impossible for them to live on tho provision made for them out of unemployment, relief, and they sought immediate sustenance grants. Position of Hospital Board.

The deputation later waited on the executive of the Palmerston North Hospital Board. The chief spokesman was Mr. J. de Clecne, who said they wero present to ask that arrangements be made for their sustenance.

“In forcible terms, too,” said another speaker. “Never mind about forcible terms,” stated the chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr. J. K. Hornblow). “We are in almost as bad a position as you arc. Our funds are quite overdrawn. We have nothing to do with able-bodied men. Wo have not the means and arc even finding it difficult to minister towards the needs of border-line cases where there arc families of seven or eight.” “Arc we not entitled to work for our food?” asked a member of the deputation. “A good many of us arc on the verge of starvation.” The board chairman: Why should we be held responsible? Voices: Why should we starve? The board chairman: That is a matter for the Unemployment Board. “Wo are willing to work,” said another speaker, “but we cannot get it. Wo must have food. It is only natural.” Other members of the deputation said they had received no relief at all during the past week or two. The board, chairman; Cannot you go to camp? Voices: No, the camps are full, but

Later Mr. Hurnblow sent the followling telegram:—“Large deputation single unemployed whoso position stated desperate require assistance. Local Labour Department advises no vacancies in camp available for these men and no provision being mado for their sustenance. Board has no funds to assist able-bodied unemployed. Please arrange immediate relief. Appreciate immediate reply.” Meat Tor Unemployed. The Hospital Board met in the afternoon, when advico was received from Kt. Hon. J. U. Coates that it was not intended to arrange further purchases of mutton, as requested previously by the board, unless changed circumstances rendered any variation of the decision necessary. Mr. Coates’ letter read: “With the expiration of the present allocation of mutton, the board's stocks will have been exhausted. As it is the present intention not to arrange further purchases, I regret that it will not be possible to accede to your request. However, you may rest" assured that if changed circumstances render any variation of the present intention necessary, the clainm of your board will receive full consideration, together with those of other organisations.” The executive reported that it had decided,* on receipt of the Minister’s Jotter, to urge upon him the desirability of continuing this form of relief, and if possible, doing something to enable a greater measure of relief to be granted to the unemployed in Palmerston North, especially to those who had, until recently, been getting assistance from the Palmerston North Central Relief Committee. The managing-secretary (Mr. A. J. Phillipps) said nothing iiad been heard from the Minister following these representations. I The Mayor said lie had forwarded a ! similar message and received no reply. Position Desperate. “The position so far as Palmerston North is concerned appears to bo desperate,” stated the chairman of the board in referring to the deputation received in the morning. He said a telegram had been despatched asking that steps of an urgent nature be taken for relief, and a reply should shortly be received. “I am afraid there was something in the nature of a threat that unless action was taken something might happen,” stated the chairman in reporting upon the outcome of the deputation. The managing-secretary said that the executive had been informed that there wore no camps available for the men if they wanted to go, and there was no work available in town. Several members of tho board said farmers requiring labour could not secure it.