EX-SOLDIERS' PLIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20902, 18 June 1931, Page 12

EX-SOLDIERS' PLIGHT.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER.

DEPLETION OF FINANCES

SERIOUSNESS OF POSITION

The serious position of ex-servicemen in the present unemployment crisis was represented to the Minister of Raijways, Hon. W. A. Veitch, by a deputation from the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association yesterday. Major-General Sir George Richardson, president of the association, and Colonel T. H. Dawson and Mr. A. C. A. Sexton, vice-presidents, addressed Mr. Veitch, who gave an assurance that their opinions would be submitted to the responsible Ministers. Sir George explained the depletion of tho resources of the association, which, from tlie funds amassed from Poppy Day appeals and other restricted means of revenue, had provided all possible assifittance in procuring necessities for distressed ex-servicemen. It was essential to understand, lie said, that, owing to war disabilities or age, there were numbers of soldiers who could not derive benefit under a Government relief scheme.

As it was, tho cessation of 'the No. 5 scheme of relief had brought about a situation demanding urgent measures. Sir George said he considered that old clothing and blankets discarded by the Defence Department should bo made available to needy soldiers. Camp for Single Men. Jn the opinion of Colonel Dawson men who did not go to tho Great War and entered the positions of those who did, wore, in many cases, the only persons who were prospering at the present time. He suggested that Narrow Neck camp should be made available to returned unmarried men, 200 to be accommodated at a time, arid rations to be supplied by the Government. " This would be immeasurably better than offering' charity at the night shelter," Colonel Dawson added. " Such a means of assistance is necessary to these returned men, who are 'slipping' faster than others into the 'slough of despond.' Those who served on Gallipoli or in Franco simply cannot stand the strain of economic depression so well as those who did not serve in the trenches." Mr. Sexton mentioned that tho trustees of the Poppy Day funds were receiving from 400 to 500 applications for relief a week. This situation, alone, was a significant indication of tho seriousness of the position, as it affected returned soldiers. He said he. considered that the Government had reached a position where it. should obtain fresh advice on.means of relief, as it was obvious that all attempts lip to the present had failed. Reply by tho Minister.

In reply, Mr. Veitch expressed his conviction that Parliament, when it met, would adopt a comprehensive system of relief. There were registered 50,000 unemployed, and, 'it- each .man were to receive £3 a week, there would be an expenditure of about £8,000,000 a year—an enormous figure for a country with a population of only 1,500,000. The Government had. been compelled to reduce wages, because of the collapse of world currency. It had to be realised, that the Government had made-every effort to meet an exacting situation- , The position, actually, had gone beyond the. resources of New Zealand and tho legislation which' had been passed had not yielded the revenue expected. Mr. Veitch said he was not prepared to- say that tho cost of living had yet been reduced by 10 per cent. ITo concurred with the deputation in saying that'returned soldiers had as much claim on the community at present as on tho day they enlisted for service.

RECORD REGISTRATIONS.

NEW DOMINION FIGURES.

TOTAL NOW REACHES 43,543

[I)Y TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday,

Another record in unemployment registrations was established for, the week ended June 8, daring which period a total of 43,543 names was recorded at labour bureaux throughout the Dominion, compared with 42,523 for the previous seven days. In announcing tho figures,' the Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour, said the apparent increase for tho week was 930. Tho actual number for whom no work was found was 6439.

Particulars of the registrations in the main centres are as follows':—Auckland, with dependants', 2695; without dependants, 3427; Wellington, 1595,- 2585; Christchurch, 2920, 1985; Dunedin, 1410, 1164; Invercargill, 716, 314. The total registrations in the main centres are as follows, tho figures for the previous week being given in parentheses:—Auckland, 6122 (5952); Wellington. 4180 (3944); Christchurch, 4905 (4860); Dunedin, 2574 (2545); Invercargill, 1030 (1044). \ The figures for the last five periods for which totals have been issued are as follows : Appli- Teinpfirnrily Uncmcnlions. working, ployed. May 11 .. 3P.052 28.0(52 9,990 Nfnv 18 .. 39.553 28,7(30 . 10,793 May 25 .. 40,507 24,329 10,176 .Tune 1 . . 42,521! 35,077 7,446 Juno 8 . . 43.543 37,101 6.439 VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS. PROPOSED SCHEME AT PAEROA. [from our own correspondent.] PAEROA, Wednesday. Over 300 people attended a public meeting in Paeroa last evening to consider means of assisting the unemployment in Paeroa district during tho cessation of No. 5 scheme. The Mayor, Mr. W. Marshall, suggested that residents who were in steady work should make voluntary contributions to a fund to provide woi;k for people in need. He suggested graduated weekly contributions starting at sixpence in tho pound from those receiving a weekly wago of £3. Mr. Marshall also suggested tho establishment of a depot whero food and other supplies could be received and distributed, lie said that two local butchers offered to supply freo meat, under tho authority of tho committee, to up to 50 families for two or three weeks. The two local bakers had also offered to supply bread to the committee at cost price. A resolution supporting the scheme outlined by the Mayor and pledging those present at tho meeting to give every assistance to carry it out was carried unanimously. A strong committeo was elected to put the proposed scheme in operation and Mr. W. E. Ward was appointed lion, secretary.