Ex-Army Officers Among the Destitute

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 665, 17 May 1929, Page 1

Ex-Army Officers Among the Destitute

CITY MISSION SHELTER EXPLOITING THE WORKLESS A colonel, two captains and a number of ex-soldiers are among the 80 men receiving shelter in the Anglican City Mission’s winter quarters, Federal Street, for the unemployed of the city. The city missioner, the Rev. Jasper Calder, said yesterday that the shelter is greatly appreciated by the down-and-out of all grades of society. Although most of the men are £ood workers when given the chance, a portion consisted of the unemployable. Mr. Calder said that as far as could be judged at present distress in Auckland resulting from unemployment was likely to be more acute this winter than last. Doubtless the projected tramway extensions would alleviate the position, but it was unfortunate that the -works could not be initiated before August. "EXPLOITING MISFORTUNE" The missioner is of opinion that some farmers are exploiting the v/orkiess. “Several land holders have -written stating that they want a man for farm work," said Mr. Calder. “We say: ‘Very well, what can you offer a good worker?’ More often than not the would-be employer is prepared to give a worker a good home, but nothing more. “It is pretty tough on these hardup fellows that they cannot be given at least a few shillings a week to buy a pair of trousers or to get a bit of tobacco. “They have to toil like the devil for wealthy farmers, and it seems to me that some employers are only out for cheap labour."