LABOUR FOR FOOD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 642, 21 December 1932, Page 1

LABOUR FOR FOOD.

American Unemployed Movement. NEW YORK, December 9. A remarkable outgrowth of widespread unemployment is a new “ Help Ourselves” movement. The unemployed are forming cooperative groups and offering their labour in direct barter for food, shelter, clothing and other necessities. The movement promises to become a national one and to develop important economic ramifications through a “ national exchange association.” New York unemployed will give manufacturers, distributors and landlord? their services, receiving the necessities of life without money. The scheme embraces the agriculture regions. A new immigration ruling, barring foreign nurses, may mean that many Canadians and Australians throughout the country will lose their jobs. The pathetic plight of many Australians in the United States, due to the depression, is disclosed by the growing number seeking assistance from the Australian representative in the United States (Mr D. M. Dow.) For some he has secured jobs and for others temporary relief and food and lodging. Mr Dow is devoting much energy to helping the applicants. He has procured for several berths on homewardbound ships. Mr Dow also prevented the eviction of a woman who became suddenly stranded. He is doing yeoman service although there is no appropriation for such purposes.