Shut the Relief Depots.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20361, 19 July 1934, Page 8

Shut the Relief Depots.

Dear Sir,—Referring to Monday’s letter, which suggests closing the Central Depot, it, does appear that a lot of the time and energy now expended by well-meaning people in pauperising the relief workers might be more profitably used in supporting them in their own efforts to obtain sufficient to exist upon from the Unemployment Board. In January last our allocation was cut a further.2o per cent. In April a statement was published on behalf of tho* Lyttelton Borough Council that for three winters wood, coal, groceries and clothing had been distributed. We contend that such statements provide the U nemployment Board with the excuse for cutting down allocations, and have asked the Relief Committee to publish a balance-sheet and a report of the number of people receiving assistance ard the average amount expended per month on foodstuffs in order that the thing may appear in true proportion. This the

committee declines to do ■without giving any reason. Although almost a month past midwinter we have so far received one small issue of wood, perhaps sufficient for two days. We receive a parcel of groceries once a month, on the stand-down week. This parcel for a family of three or four . would cost about 4s 6d to ss, or, to put it very clearly, about 4d a week per person. Meantime, the Unemployment Board* has carved 22s 6d a month off our miserable pittance. Yet, were we to venture another piotest strike or indulge in a little mass demonstration tactics, we should be termed ingrates and what not. In fact, we are decent chaps so long as we are duly subservient and grateful for our fourpennyworth t>f tucker a week, but we must be squashed if we exhibit anything in the nature of a spine. With all dtie respect to those sincere citizens who strive to ease the widespread distress we also believe that it would be better to shut them all.—We are, etc.. LYTTELTOX U.W.A.