POSITION OF STAND-DOWN MEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 1 May 1934, Page 2

POSITION OF STAND-DOWN MEN

(To the Editor) Sir, —In regard to the article giving the result of an investigation into tlie position of the homes of stand-down men, again I will state tlie truth and leave the public to decide if there were not any results from “West Coaster’s” urgent appeal entitled “Rabbit Island Sufferers.” First of all these men were stood down four weeks. After standing down three weeks we find they start on Monday. Word has come from somewhere. (Results No. 1). On Friday night I had the honour of a visit to my home from a gentleman who is in the position and directs all unemployed business. This gentleman spent about one hour and a half in enjoyable conversation re unemployment and family living on pumpkin. Now he must have been, satisfied that this family were in want for next day lie sent goods to keep them until the man got his time in next week, which was appreciated in this case. (Result No. 2). The article contributed to Saturday night’s “Mail” said that none ,of those visited appeared in want of impiediate assistance. I was nearly right when I said the brains of this'town were slipping, By this letter you will see that you have been misinformed and will agree with me some have; slipped; also if you go to tlie hospital secretary you will find that some of the men who were stood down had asked for assistance but had been refused. Then one of the social workers remarked that the process of applying for and obtaining relief through the correct channels takes time. Well I have only the average brains of a man, but they don’t get in front of one another. So instead of wasting time as was said, running around interviewing families and then not interviewing them all, I suggest next time they should go straight to the hospital secretary and get the names of all who applied for relief and then meet them •at) their homes. Then the article states that the picture of a large number of families living on practically nothing is incorrect. Well here is a puzzle to be solved. What are they living on ? A. man, wife and .five .children .wore given £2 and , a notice to stand-down four* weeks. I suppose we will 'allow them' three 'metis'-.per ’day, seven' mouths to feed, seven feeds to put on the table per meal, twenty-one feeds to put on the table per day, seven days per week, one hundred and. forty-seven feeds per week, 441 feeds to find for seven of a family for three weeks. The £2 given for his. last pay would be four hundred and eighty pennies, allowing one penny per. feed, leaving the grand sum of 39 pence (3s 3d) for firing to cook the meals for ,three weeks, electric light and rent. Now you must agree with me there is 'no lia'm or egg in this lot. Now figure this out: Men with 5 children and. over were given £2 and a notice to standdown for four weeks with no other relief in sight. What did they live on? What were they to live on the fourth week? I have heard of birds’ -nest soup, dandelion tea. I have also Sung “Britons never shall be slaves,” but I will work _ a day in anyone’s garden for nothing if they could tell me wliat men and families left in this position would have to eat on their fourth week. (I bar these: Grass, the cat, fresh air, and water). And then fellow citizens say that the statement that families which were stood down, living on practically nothing is incorrect. "Well this opens up a big question for the relief. workers, so if anyone in this town, high or low, likes to come along and discuss tlie ways tilings could be done to help tlie relief worker that can’t help himself they will find my name and address at “The Mail” office, as in some families the old pumpkin is still going strong. —I am, etc., WEST COASTER. . Nelson, 29th April.