HUNGER MARCH ARRANGED

Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1934, Page 6

HUNGER MARCH ARRANGED

GISBORNE RELIEF WORKERS WELLINGTON AS THE OBJECTIVE. MINISTER TO HEAR DEPUTATION. LOCAL BODY REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, Last Night. Relief works strikers have completed the local arrangements for the launching of a hunger march with Wellington as their objective. Thirty men have qualified physically for marching, being nominated as the Gisborne delegation. With the probability of many more participating, preparations have been made as far as Napier for billeting and feeding the marchers and for reinforcement of their ranks by delegations from townships en route. Further arrangements are in the hands of the unemployed workers movement south, of Napier, but the marchers are assured of sympathy and support throughout Several women desire to join the march and the immediate problem of the committee is to limit the number who propose making the journey. Strict compliance with the qualifications is insisted upon and married men are only accepted on consent of their wives. A deputation headed by Mi*. D. W. Coleman, M.P., and the Mayor (Mr. John Jackson) is ready to leave for' Wellington to wait on thte Minister of Employment (Hon. A. Hamilton) urging that the city allocation for relief work should apply to the Gisborne district. A telegram has been sent to the Minister asking for a date which is suitable for him to receive the deputation and on the date being notified .the departure will be made from Gisborne.

In addition to Mr. Coleman and the Mayor the deputation includes representatives of the Cook County Council, the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Hospital Board, the Chamber of Commerce and the Retailers’ Association.

A reply was received from the Minister late to-night stating .that he is arriving at Wellington on Wednesday morning and will advise the date of the reception of the deputation to-morrow.