RELIEF CONDITIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21926, 9 October 1934, Page 12

RELIEF CONDITIONS

CIIIHSTCHITRCH MEETING DEMAND FOR IMPROVEMENT FUTURE OF CHILDREN [by telegraph—pkkss association] CHTSISTCHURCH, Mondny Urging better conditions for the unemployed, speakers at a citizens' meeting held yesterday in Latimer Square, condemned the present treatment of the men and asked that relief workers should be given higher wages in order that they might live more normal lives. The, meeting, which was called by the Mayor, Mr. D. G. Sullivan, was attended bv more than 1000 people. A resolution was carried calling on the Government aud .Parliament to provide either work at standard rates of pay or a system of sustenance, such as was provided for in 1930 by the Unemployment Act. Among speakers who joined in demanding better conditions for relief workers were Professor J. Shelley, Mr. E. 11. Andrews, chairman of the Citizens' Unemployment Relief Committee, the Rev. F. T. Read, president of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association, and the Rev. D. Gardner Miller. Mr. Andrews said that No. 5 scheme, which looked like becoming a permanency, was futile, worthless and degrading. Professor Shelley declared that it was tho Government's duty to see that the unemployed were properly treated and cared for. He maintained that industry was being placed before society, when the position should be tho other way about. "We are degrading the next generation by sending our children out of school feeling that it is a toss-up whether the nation wants them or not," he said. "No child should bo allowed to leave school unless he has a job to go to. Tho Government should show that it wants them. If it does not, then we shall have to look for fosterparents." * TOWN BOARD'S POSITION MANUREWA MEMBER'S VIEW 7 An admission that he had objections to small local bodies was made by Mr. E. Pegler, a member of the Manurewa Town Board, at a meeting of the board last evening. The board was discussing the requests of a deputation of unemployed workers, which asked that the town board should endeavour to take back in employment on relief works at standard rates of wages all registered uneii-ployed men in the district and for the' abolition of the stand-down week, . . , Speakers said the majority of the Manurewa men were employed under the Manukau County Council and the Public Works Department, and desired work in their own locality. Mr Pegler said he had opposed the establishment of a town board for Manurewa when it was formed. Hejelf. that the smallness of such districts reacted on the unemployed workers concerned. "For many years I have been firmly convinced that local body government is a snare and a farce," he said. "Since the Government will neither amend nor end that tragedy it might be persuaded to make available | to local bodies finance at a minimum > percentage." • | While several Government clepartj ments were using unemployed workers : they could not expect to get back to normal conditions. With money made available at about 3 per cent, country local bodies would be able to stop any trek to the cities. Subsidies could be got from the Main Highways Board and the 'Unemployment Board which would enable local bodies to give workers a fair wage on works of an essential character. Mr. Pegler urged that a move be made to start permanent works throughout the country. Mr. T. S. Gray said repeated requests had been made' by. the board to the authorities for better treatment for local unemployed, but without success. Tho chairman, Mr. W. T. Cox, said there had been numerous conferences of protest, but without any great result. He had endeavoured through tho recent conference of local bodies in Auckland to secure city rates for country workers. He advised the deputation that the board would bo considering its financial position next week, and until then it could not make any definite reply to tho requests. COMPLAINT OF WORKERS BOARD'S INQUIRY METHODS A reply to the complaint made by tho Papakura Unemployed Workers' Association regarding inquiries made of relief workers' wives, while their husbands were absent from home, was received from the unemployment certifying officer at Papakura, Mr. D. J. Graham, at a meeting of the Papakura Town Board last evening. Tho certifying officer said thqt in ordering tho inquiries his office was carrying out the policy of the Unemployment Board. Similar inquiries were being made in other districts. He regretted his office had had to penalise any of the unemployed men, but they would not have been stood down had they adopted a more reasonable attitude and permitted the inquiries to be completed. The men who were stood down would be reinstated as soon as they complied with the Unemployment Board's regulations in reference to the matter. CONDITIONS AT WHANOAREI THE STAND-DOWN WEEK / . [from our own correspondent] WHANGAREI. Monday A public meeting convened by tho Mayor, Mr. W. .Jones, and held in 'the Town Hall, to take steps for the abolition of "stand-down" week, was poorly attended. A committee comprising Messrs. W. Jones, H. C. Hemphill and J. A. Finlayson was appointed to forward a letter asking for the abolition of standdown week, and also that the men should receive the same pay in the fourth week as during thp remaining three. It is to bo asked that, failing tli is, tho men should be treated as they are in the main centres and.receive sustenance. The letter is to be sent to the Unemployment Board, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Employment and tho member of Parliament for tho district, Mr. A. J. Murdoch.