FOOD RATIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 67, 21 March 1935, Page 6

FOOD RATIONS

DEMANDED BY WOMEN A DEPOT BESIEGED SCENES IN CHRISTCHURCH ( Par Press Association ). CHRISTCHURCH, March 20. Demanding the immediate issue of food rations a party of between thirty and forty women besieged the Metropolitan Relief Association’s central depot this afternoon and refused to leave. Tactful persuasion by two police sergeants and a few constables led to the building being cleared, but not until one of the women had had to be removed by two sergeants from the office of the honorary director, Mr. A. B. Macintosh. Most of the women were the wives of relief workers. They all claimed that thev were in dire need of food for themselves and their families. They asked that food be. issued to them and stated that they would remain in the building until something was done for them. There, was almost continuous bantering of the police and members of the depot staff. Mr. Macintosh said nothing could be done for the women. They still would not leave. The police sergeants tried to persaude them to go and even threatened to take some of them in charge. All the women save one eventually left and the police had to use some force in escorting her from the building. The position of the Relief Association is that its funds, all provided by public subscription, are exhausted. It still receives occasional gifts ol goods and monev, but these are used to help families in direct need through illhealth or some infiiniity.