JEALOUSY FEARED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 521, 2 August 1932, Page 7

JEALOUSY FEARED.

Reason for No Statement on Ratiofts. MINISTER AND MAYOR. The Minister’s reason for declining to give a statement of the Unemployment Board’s policy in regard to the issue of rations, and an amplification of the Mayor's statement that he would endeavour to carry on the giving of relief through the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund were given by Mr Sullivan when a deputation from the unemployed waited on him this morning.

The Mayor stated that the Government’s refusal to give details of its policy meant that no comparison could be made between the present method of relief and that given when the North Canterbury Hospital Bpard had the matter in hand. The speaker had sought an interview with the actingMinister of Employment (the Hon A. Hamilton) in Wellington yesterday. He received some sort of a statement from the Minister, from which he gathered that it was believed that if a statement were issued and it was found that Christchurch was receiving more Government relief than any other centre,, there would be all sorts of arguments and jealousies. The Minister had had to look at the matter from that point of view. Power to Adjust Matters.

The Minister, continued the Mayor, had undertaken to send for the officer-in-charge of the Labour Department in Christchurch (Mr R. T. Bailey) and to discuss the whole matter with him. He undertook, also, to send Mr J. S. Jessep, acting-chairman of the board, to Christchurch to make a special investigation. Mr Jessep would be given power to adjust matters to the best of his ability, so that there would be less criticism of the Government scheme Mr Jessep was indisposed at present, and therefore it was 'difficult to say when he would begin his investigation, but it would be within the course of the coming week.

The Minister had seemed to be disappointed that there were so many complaints from Christchurch. He had asked Mr Sullivan whether, during the period of investigation and the preparation of a report, he could meet the situation. “No Responsibility.” “ I am not going to resist a request of that kind, although it is a heavy burden on the Mayor’s Fund,” continued Mr Sullivan. “ The amount left in the fund, after providing for blankets and making weekly grants of from £IOO to £l3O to the depots, and helping other organisations, makes it impossible for me to carry a heavy burden. As Mayor, I cannot take any responsijilitv for what .follows the investigaion, for the Government and the Unemployment Board are responsible. I im not going to say that after Mr Jessep has been down here everything .vill be all right. “If the Hospital Board will help me with its organisation and experience I will, during the next two, weeks,place at its disposal a sum of money which, while it may not procure quite a large a ration as when the Hospital Board was administering relief. will come as near as possible to the board’s supplementary ration.” Hospital Board’s Promise. Those present the hearing of the deputation to-day included Mr H. J. Otley (chairman of the North Canterbury Hospital Board), Mrs T. Green (chairman of the Board’s Benevolent Committee), and Mr W. S. Wharton (secretary of the board). Mr Otley said that the Hospital Board had taken up the' stand that its function was not to provide for able-bodied men who were unemployed. This year that burden was taken off the board’s shoulders, and he did not think that the Government could not make a success of it if it had the organisation. The Hospital Board, while not having any funds for unemployment relief, would do as much as possible to help the Mayor in his undertaking. In that case it would be necessary for the men to bring their cards issued by the Government. The earliest that the board could commence the issue of rations was at 9 a.m. next Friday.

“It would be impossible for the Mayor’s Fund to carry the whefle load,” added the Mayor, in thanking Mr Otley for his promise. “ The fund can be used for only a fortnight in meeting the cases of the greatest need.”

All Phases Discussed by Labour and Clergy. SORRY PLIGHT OF WOMEN. Various remedies for overcoming the unemployment problem were suggested at a conference last evening of representatives of the churches and Labour organisations. Ever}- phase of the problem was dealt with in reports tha\, were presented, but discussion on the subject matter was deferred till a further meeting to be held on August 15 next. Instances of dh'e distress among young women as the result of their being unable to secure employment were quoted by the Rev R. de Lambert. In making an appeal for warm clothing, rations and work for women, he referred to the case of two young women whose wardrobes were so depleted that when one desired ‘to go up town, the other had to remain in bed. He emphasised the fact that there were many women in Christchurch who did not possess ‘the required amount of clothing