STRONG CRITICISM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 February 1934, Page 12

STRONG CRITICISM.

Condemnation of Relief Policy. PUBLIC MEETING HELD. Strong condemnation of the policy of the Government and the Unemployment Board in dealing with unemployment was voiced by speakers at a public meeting held in the Civic Theatre last evening. The Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) presided and the principal address was given by Mr R. Semple, Labour member for Wellington East. The downstairs portion of the building was filled and there were a few people in the circle. The following motion was carried unanimously: “That this meeting of Christchurch citizens condemns the policy pursued towards the unemployed by the Government and the Unemployment Board, which results in semistarvation for thousands of families, and also condemns the 4a and 5 schemes and the herding of young men in concentration camps, depriving them of their natural rights and opportunities in life, and calls on the Government to pay full trade union rates of wages or in lieu thereof full sustenance for all unemployed workers.” Mr Sullivan said that he had called the meeting with the more willingness i as he felt there never was a time in the history of the country when the unemployed stood more in need of full assistance than at present. Mr L. W. Burney, president of the Christchurch Unemployed Workers’ Association, dealt with the unemployment levy and said that a good deal of that money was put into avenues where it was least needed. He criticised present methods of relief and said he considered that unless the policy was revised there would be hundreds of relief workers who would never see the winter through if it was at all severe. Mr R. Macdonald, secretary of the Unemployed Workers’ Association, said that in spite of the report of the Unemployment Board to Parliament, Christchurch unemployed workers knew that the situation was no better. There were about 200,000 people in the Dominion who were feeling the pinch. Mr Semple said that as far as New Zealand was concerned the country, under a proper system of production and distribution, was capable of feeding and clothing five times the present population. Yet people were starving. He went on with a strong condemnation of the policy of the Unemployment Board and stated that it was only after a desperate fight that the Minister and Cabinet agreed to give the Gisborne people transport home, but not one ray of hope did they give. The speakers were accorded a vote of thanks. A collection realised £5 16s.