THE UNEMPLOYED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 20 June 1932, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING business dealt with The fortnightly meeting of the Nelson Unemployed Relief Workers’ Association was held on Saturday night at the Institute Rooms, Hardy street. Mr .Roebuck (president) was m the chair. Titerr was an attendance of about a hundred. The Waimea County Council notified that relief workers would be given an extra day's work this month in order to allow them to pay the unemployment levy.

The College Council of Governors intimated that half-a-day’s work bad been given for a similar purpose. The Wakapuaka Drainage Board notified that complaints made were being inquired into. The local Unemployment Committee notified that only men should apply at the relief depot. The chairman reported that no reply had yet been received from the Hon. .1. G. Coates in reply to the Association’s letter asking what guarantee would be given that men would receive, the work as set out- in the new No. 5 Scheme.

PRICE OF BREAD

A member moved that the Government bo asked to investigate the prico of bread in Nelson. (Hear, hear).

The motion was carried. Another member asked what was to be done in the meantime. The chairman: “Nelson is the dearest place for bread in Now Zealand.” A suggestion was made that the “Evening Mail” be asked to publish a. recipe for home-made bread. On being put as a motion, tho proposal was carried unaimously. “Some people are going mad on home-brewed beer. It would bo better for them to devote their talents to homemade bread,” called out some one amid considerable laughter. A further motion was carried asking Mr H. Atmoro, A 1.1’., to investigate “the exorbitant price of bread in Nelson.”

THE RELIEF DEPOT

Mr Goring recalled that at tho last meeting a motion was moved that the Association should run its own depot. Some, people, he added, had taken umbrage at the suggestion, and he thought it a pity that tho Association should suffer from such a silly proposal. The Association should indicate that it was quite satisfied with tho personnel of the depot. If the Association tried to run a. depot on its own it would alionato the sympathy of the public. Tho chairman: “I was talking to a. lady in the li>,vyii and she said wc had lost nearly £IOO already.” Mr Rogers strongly condemned one or two men running round the town talking nonsense. “Some of them” he added, “are getting everything freo, and have never been better off in their lives. In good times they could'hot get a job, and are now living in the pink and have never been better off.” AllRogers made it clear that lie was referring to only a very small minority of the unemployed. Mr Rogers moved: “That the Association is satisfied with the relief depot, and we appreciate their efforts and hope they will continue to carry out their good work.” The motion was put and carried with acclamation, the seconder asking that the fact he emphasised in tho report. A. word of warning was given that members _ should he careful what they said in tlio streets. If they did not they would have 'every door closed against them. > •

The remarks were received with applause. A member: “The trouble is those people who squeak never come to the meeting.” “Quite right” commented another voico.

Mr Rogers, speaking of the relief depot. ,moved that a request be made that it bo opened to the men during their stand-off week., A member said there were men off every week. Another member said the relief depot was open to all men in their off time. A suggestion that some of the men needed "wet nursing’ ’was indignantly denied by a member. “When the bakers know about this home-made stunt they will' not supply us,” said someone. A suggestion was made that the Wanganui system should be followed—the supply of rations during the blank week. In answer to a question the chairman said he understood unemployment cards would be issued next week to the men.

A member said that during their week olf the men should demand rations from the Hospital Board.

The chairman said lie understood that hospital boards gave relief only in the most necessitous cases.

A voice: “What about the singlo man?”

“He is getting 10s a week and his tucker” came the reply. Coming back to the motion, a member thortght it a splendid idea. If it was only on the off-week that the men were allowed to go to the depot it would mean that all would get a fair share. The opinion was expressed that those men who obtained two or three days work on the wharves during their olfperiod should abstain from going to the depot. It was stated that the books, when issued, would show whether men wero getting a fair share or not. A member said if the men during their stand-down week could get an extra day or twohs work, it would get over the difficulty. • An amendment was moved that the Nelson Unemployment Relief Committee be asked to give extra work during the stand-down week. Mr Martin expressed the opinion that (he book system would not get over the difficulty. If the men were allowed to go lo the depot once every four weeks it would solve the problem. It was pointed out that the motion was only a request—there was no desire to dictate to the relief depot committee. The motion that it be a suggestion that the relief depot be open to the men only during their off week was then put ami carried unanimously.

Regarding a motion that the local unemployment committee bo asked to give an extra day or two during the men’s off week, it was pointed out, that the committee got only a. certain amount of money allocated lo them, and could therefore not do any more. The chairman said the committee would give the work if they had the money. The chair, man.of the committee had explained the position at a former meeting. It was apparent from the ensuing discussion that the men were satisfied that the committee was doing all it could. A question was asked if it was correct (hat owing to the relief work being done at tlio tip the Council was going to retrench two of its permanent staff. The chairman said lie had board nothing of it. A member said that the men in the'

big cities were being better treated than those in Nelson or other small towns. The motion on being put was lost practically unanimously.

RATIONS IN OFF WEEK

A motion moved by Mr 'Sinden was carried that a deputation wait on the Hospital Board with a request that rations be given during the off week — and not lo be worked for.

Mr Watson said that in all centres where Hospital Boards bad given rations the men had to work for them. Voices; “No.”

Mr Watson suggested that the last words of the motion should ho deleted.

It was stated, amid some dissent, that relief workers could not obtain rations from the Hospital Board. After some further discussion, the last few words of the motion were deleted, and in its amended form was carried. Messrs Sinden, W. Manning, Winter and Roebuck were appointed the deputation to wait on the Board. SUPPLIES OF MEAT

Some discussion arose concerning the distribution of meat. One member complained that he “could not pick and choose his joint” and moved that the whole thing be turned down. This met with a sarcastic remark, fql. lowed by loud laughter: “Just hand in your card and they will give you sweetbreads.”

Votes of thanks were passed by acclamation lo the Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, •M.L.C., and Mr A. Thomson for a gift of meat which was distributed among 100 families.

In answer lo a question, Mr Me Ewan explained that the Mayor’s fund was to assist those out of work.

GENERAL

Mr Goring asked if the Association could arrange to get bread by contract. The Hospital Board obtained it by contract for Bjjd a loaf. The chairman said it bad beon put to him that the men would sooner obtain bread at the relief depot at a reasonable price and pay for it than get it for nothing. lie promised to look into the matter.

In reply lo a question, the chairman said there were cases of real distress in Nelson. He gave instances of cases which had come under his personal notice, and what steps ho had taken to obtain relief. He added that if member knew of any genuine cases and let him know he would make representations in the proper quarters. In one particular case it was decided to devote the proceeds of the collection to buying necessities. The collection amounted lo £1 Os 3d.

Appreciative reference was made to the work of the chairman during the past few weeks, and a hearty vote of thanks was carried to him by acclamation.

Referring to the community sing last week the chairman said that there had been a certain amount of disorder among young fellows in the circle. He indicated that such conduct would iyitbe tolerated in future. (Applause). He regretted that so many were unable to obtain admission at the last sing. Other members spoke in condemnation of the action of those concerned—mostly youths, it. was stated,

A member of the entertainment committee who was present said that in future the dress circle at the theatre would be reserved for ladies ami their escorts, and children unless accompanied by their parents, would not be admitted until 8 o’clock. Unemployed workers who were present would also assist in pi event ing rowdyism. A vote of appreciation was passed by acclamation to the committee of the community sing and to those who assisted in the’programmes. The meeting then ad journed.