BITTER ATTACK

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1935, Page 7

BITTER ATTACK

WOMEN’S DEPUTATION ' GOVERNMENT ACCUSED CONDITIONS OF RELIEF THREAT TO STORM HOUSE By Telegraph—Press Association. , ’ Wellington, March 7. A deputation representing relief workers’ ' wives interviewed Sir Alexander Young, Minister of Employment, protesting against the present conditions of relief.

The principal speaker, Mrs. A. Benderson, said they demanded- the right to live, and not to exist as they were doing. The Government should create conditions so that work would be available for men, and till these conditions were brought about they demanded a reasonable sum on which to live as people lived in this country.

Other speakers put the case of youths and children, etc., and one declared: “You are making rogues, vagabonds and despicable people of us. You are starving us and hitting us below the belt. We would retaliate if we could, but a little baby can’t even talk back to you. I have to raise my little son on rations as though he is a prisoner, yet he is a future soldier and citizen of this country.”

She continued: “Even a cat would steal for its kittens. At the Tailwaggers’ Club 10s a week is allowed for food for an Alsatian. A dirty dog is given more consideration than a child.” Replying the Minister said that quite a lot had been said that certainly moved one. The requests would be considered by the Unemployment Board and he would make representations to the Government.. “I intend to make no promises because I am not in a position to do so, he said. “I do not want you to go away thinking that the Minister has no sympathy.” Mrs. Henderson: Would it be convenient for you to rise? There are some ladies here who cannot see. you. ■ The Minister (rising): I am sorry; I thought I could see everybody. A woman: Why are those people who have power to do the things we ask not here to-day?—that is an argument I cannot enter into. “POOR SUBTERFUGE'.” Mr. Fraser said that first of all the deputation wished to see the Prime Minister and Mr. Coates. “Because quite frankly," he continued; “we anticipated the cold and disappointing answer you gave these women. I think it is a poor subterfuge on the part of the Government. I am bitterly disappointed, because I have never known you to give such an unsatisfactory and negative anBwer _and that after the Prime Minister put the responsibility on you of receiving the deputation. We are now told that the Minister will get the requests typewritten and analysed later on. Surely to God the Government can do something more-effective than saying it will get statements typewritten!” ■ Mrs. Snow said the Minister had stated that the health of the people was the. primary consideration. She asked that milk should be given to children who needed it “The Unemployment Board are your servants,” she said, “not your bosses. There is this baby- four months old. Look at its poor little, legs! I have some sons lying in France and I ask you, in the name of those boys lying in France, to grant us milk—the least you can do.”

The Minister: I am not aware that any children are deprived of milk. Mrs. Vaughan (producing a letter): "Read this. I get 10 pints for four children.

, hJLrs. Cook produced reports of Plunket nurses and showed them to the Minister. “To be blind to the position shows most lamentable ignorance of conditions in this country,” she said. The Minister: The board is sympathetic and where individual cases of hardship are reported it deals with •them.

Mr. Fraser: I don’t know of a more unsympathetic diet than sympathy.

MR. SEMPLE LEAVES.

, Mr. Semple said his advice to the women was to see the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance. “If you are going to continue these miserly conditions, there will be hell in New Zealand. You are looking for it and you will get it,” he said leaving the room and slamming the door. The Minister said that Mr. W. Bromley (deputy-chairman of the Unemployment Board) had said that some of the points raised could be adjusted. “But,” said the Minister, “I think that the proper thing is to go into the matter and make adjustments as soon as possible.” Mrs. Vaughan: After to-night I am going to take the milk and perhaps the law, in the name of the King, will give me justice. Mr. Bromley said that after the last deputation he had said that Mrs. Vaughan under the new conditions should be no worse off than she had been previously. Members of thd deputation: What are we going to do? Mrs. Vaughan: Storm the House, walk into Parliament! Members of the deputation expressed their intention of sitting in the Minister’s room till they got a satisfactory answer from him but were persuaded by Mr. Fraser and Mrs. Snow to leave. After the deputation had left the Minister’s room, members gathered in force in the Labour sitting room and here they were addressed by members of the Opposition, Members of the Labour Party promised the deputation that they would endeavour to arrange an interview with the Prime Minister. At the invitation of local Labour members, the women were provided with refreshments and milk was also supplied for the children attached to the party.