"REALLY APPALLING”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 151, 29 June 1932, Page 8

"REALLY APPALLING”

i UNEMPLOYMENT BURDEN I i 1 PLIGHT OF RETURNED MEN WHAT THE FIGURES SHOW WELLINGTON. June 28. The unemployment problem, particularly as it affects returned soldiers, whose disabilities prevent, them from entering the relief camps, was referred ro by the Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop), when opening the annual conference of tho Dominion Council of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association today. The Mayor congratulated the Executive Committee of the association on rhe success which had attended its efforts during the past year. Their efforts. be believed, had resulted in the oledges of the past having been kept in some measure at least. The reduction in pensions, regrettable as it was, had not been so great as it would have been but for tho efforts of the committee and the organisation generally. He 1 bought it had to be admitted that the position of the ’country was such that some reduction in pensions was inevitable, and he was satisfied that they were all prepared to face up to the position and see things through. He was certain the association would do all in its power tn alleviate the sufferings of those who had received the reductions. Referring to the various unemployment schemes in operation, Mr Hislop drew attention to the fact that single men who were unfit to go to camp were debarred from securing employment in the cities and were forced to \setk relief from the Hospital 'and Charitable Aid Board. “I do think that in cases in which a man is disabled and unable to go to a camp he should still get a couple of /lays’ work in the (cities,” said the Mayor. “He should the right, which he enjoyed previously, of securing relief under the No. 5 scheme. It should be possible to find light work for him.” Mr. Hislop said it was gratifying to find that in spite of the difficulties they were up against tho membership of the association had increased. That was a good sign, as it showed they were getting together and were determined to present a united front to tho common enemy. The difficulties of the past, year would be greater during the coming year. The position in regard to unemployment was really appalling, said the Mayor. They had in New Zealand today ono person out of every seven dependent on relief works. That figure showed how cssntial it was that they should knuckle down and make the best of things. in thanking the Mayor for opening the conference, the president of the association (Major-General Sir Andrew Russel]) said the time had arrived when, the people of New Zealand must get together as one big family. IT they did that they would have something to show on the right side of tho ledger when they came to balance up the depression. Flock House. A deputation representing the centra] executive managing the Flock House scheme for the training of New Zealand boys made an appeal for the association’s support, and complained that the R.S.A. organisations throughout the country had not given the scheme the support that was expected. At present there were 20 sons of soldiers at Flock House, and as far as could be seen by theend of July there would be 40. It had been agreed to make the maximum age 19, so it was hoped more boys would be able to take advantage of the scheme.