UNEMPLOYMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 180, 2 August 1932, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT

Sir, —May I be permitted a space in your column in which to reply to Mr. T. Shout and Mrs. T. Dobson, whose letters appeared in the “Chronicle” of July 28. ' Firstly, both these gentlemen appear to object to the term Communist as applied to their activities. That their organisation recognises the Red Flag as its emblem, 1 presume they will not deny. My regrettable mistake was therefore pardonable. In reply to Mr. T. Shout that the demonstration had for its aim a protest against the failure of the Unemployment Board U pay sustenance in the stand-down week, may I point out to Mr. Shout that his organisation is not alone in its efforts. The Raetihi Relief Work ers’ Advancement League is also doing its bit very thorougtily and very efficiently both to maintain a highe* standard of living among the workers and also to obtain the full period of working days, and are doing this with out any advertisement in the form of demonstrations, street corner meetings and soap-box orators. Further, in reply to Mr. Shout I am neither wealthy or even “comfortable.” My husband’s income to lay exceeds but little that of the average relief worker In addition we have the Is tax to pay. We are expected, and wo gladly Jo so, to help as far as lays within our power in all charitable organist, tions promoted for relieving distress in this town. We also provide part time work for one married man. In common with many in and around Raetihi, we are strongly determined t< carry on in the face of almost in surmountable difficulties, asking help of none, but to stand on our own feet and not to add yet another burden to a country already overburdened with unemployed. If, as Mr. Shout cheerfully asserts, this depression is yet in its babyhood and wo later may go under, at least we go with colours fly ing high, strong in our knowledge ol having endured to the uttermost. In reply to Mr. Dobson, I would state that I have the courage a*.d con victions of my own class. That class, which has proved its courage, mental, moral and material in all corners of this earth, throughout many generations, to him further would I say that L recognise no master but my own con

science, which made me voice my protest against members of my own sex being exploited for what 1 deem to be an unworthy cause. Never in the world’s history has woman's service been required so urgently as to-day, but not in the form of demonstrations, public disturbances, etc. With regard to the rest of Mr. Dobson’s letter, i f does not require an answer, being merely ignorant abuse of what he fails so thoroughly to understand, namely “loyalty” to his own creed and class. If Mr. Shout and Mr. Dobson wisli to prolong this argument, they are at liberty to do so personally. Thanking vou for space, I am, etc., DORIS G. ERICKSEN. Raetihi.