RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYED

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1931, Page 9

RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYED

hospital board overtaxed

APPEAL MADE TO THE MINISTER

EFFECT OF RAILWAY STOPPAGE.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, Last Night.

The increasing demands made upon the Cook Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for assistance for those unable to obtain employment formed the subject of a lengthy discussion at a committee meeting of the board this afternoon, the opinion being expressed that such relief came within the scope of the Unemployment Act and the provision for those destitute through the lack of work should be made from the Unemployment Board’s funds. It was decided that the chairman should forward the following letter to the Hon. S. G. Smith, chairman of the Unemployment Board:— “This board is »at • present greatly concerned at the demand being made for charitable relief assistance by the unemployed. At present 46 separate claims, all attributable to _ unemployment, are being given' assistance by the board. Demands upon the . public have already been made to assist the railway workers at Kopua in view of the storekeepers and milk and meat vendors discontinuing to supply stores on credit. “It i 6 anticipated that heavy demands will be made in the course of a few days, and this board is of the opinion that as the 46 cases now receiving relief are all eligible to receive assistance from your board in the terms of the Act, especially the needs of this district should receive earnest consideration. The position in regard to the Kopua railway. unemployed is that a very large proportion of the unemployed there are not a . fair charge upon this district, a majority of the workers having been brought from other districts. ' “I am directed to request that should this board dispense relief to these cases such assistance will be accepted as a charge upon the funds of your board. As the local unemployment comj mittee is unable to deal with the matter I would appreciate an early reply advising what assistance you are prepared to grant.”