UNEMPLOYED WORKERS.

Wairarapa Age, 19 May 1932, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED WORKERS.

WAIRARAPA COUNCIL FORMED. SPECIAL MEETING. NEW SCHEME NOT FAVOURED. The Municipal Social Hall was crowded to the doors last night when, a special meeting of the unemployed was held to discuss, among other things, the new relief scheme. Mr. K. A. Judd presided. Representatives attended from the Carterton, Featherston and Martinborough unemployed. A proposal to form a Wairarapa executive of the unemployed met with a mixed reception. It was pointed out by the chairman that such a body would carry more weight in any action which the unemployed decided to take. One speaker held that a resolution passed by the executive must eomo before the rank and file if it were to carry any weight. He favoured matters being continued as at present and the various branches co-operating. It was moved and seconded that a Wairarapa Executive be formed, the ratio of representation to be: Masterton, four delegates; and two each from the other centres. Mr. Bowden (Carterton) suggested that the meeting should form a Wairarapa Unemployed Workers’ Union. Each district eould have its own committee or executive and matters discussed by the different centres could be communicated to the other districts for their consideration. “One thing staring us in the face to-day is that unless we form, some strong organisation we will fall,” said Mr. Bowden. Mr. J. Donnelly urged that no action taken in the Wairarapa would have any effect without the support of other unemployed in New Zealand. There was nothing to prevent the unemployed from co-operating throughout New Zealand. According to the figures made public by the deputy-ehairman of the Unemployment Board, Mr. J. S. Jessep, there was an amount of £52,000 a week to provide for 48,000 men, while there was no provision for women. “If no more money is provided we are faced with utter starvation, and we have got to take Dominion-wide action,” said Mr. Donnelly. Several speakers were strongly in favour of promoting a Dominion-wide unemployed movement, but others urged forming a combined Wairarapa association first. An amendment was moved by Mr. G. Selby that a combined association of Wairarapa unemployed be formed and an executive set up, but this was set aside for another proposal by Mr. Donnelly that the various unemployed clubs in the Wairarapa form an affiliated council, with a basis of representation of: Masterton, four; and Carterton, Greytown, Featherston and Martinborough, two apiece. This was carried on a show of hands. Some discussion took place as to the method of appointment of the Masterton members of the council. It was eventually decided to accept nominations both from the committee and members. A ballot resulted in Messrs. J. Donnelly, F. A. Lambourne, P. H. Shaw and K. A. Judd being elected. NEW RELIEF SCHEME. A general discussion took place as to the new and old schemes of unemployment relief, those present freely expressing their opinions as to the position of the relief worker under either scheme. The meeting, by an overwhelming majority, declared itself not in favour of the new system of relief work. On the motion of Mr. Selby it was decided Jo enter a strong protest against any reduction in the daily rate and to_ask that four weeks’ work per month be provided at the present rate of .pay but not to exceed the montttfy rate as laid down under the new scheme and that single men’s rate of pay be 12s 6d per day. HOSPITAL BOARD’S ASSISTANCE. The assistance given by the Wairarapa Hospital Board came in for some strong criticism, one or two members asserting that the local board had done less for the unemployed than hospital boards in other parts of the Dominion. It was stated that the Wairarapa Board had voted for outside relief last yeaY a sum of £2630, of which only £2240 had been expended, and that in the worst year in history. “There is something wrong, ” said one speaker. The following motion was carried unanimously: “That this mass meeting of relief workers, representative of the whole of the Wairarapa, appoint a deputation to wait upon the Wairarapa Hospital Board as soon as possible with regard to getting assistance on; the same basis as other centres. By granting this it would enable us to keep in some sense of security a roof over our heads and give to our wives and our lanulies the bare necessities of life which is our right. Also to put the Bingle man in the position that he is able to live as a decent citizen and not as a beggar cast upon the street unwanted and uncared for. The deputation to include the Mayor of Masterton and the mayors of other centres if available and also the members of the the Hon. A. D. McLeod and Mr tr. ft. Sykes."