THE UNEMPLOYED.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18359, 19 June 1931, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED.

GATHERING IN HAMILTON

MEETING ON RIVER BANK. GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY. In Hamilton there are estimated to be between 400 and 500 unemployed men. To many of those, particularly the married ones, who have wives and families to feed, the position has become deeperato. Many have had no regular work for months have positively been unable to get employment, and with several months of winter ahead the outlook for them is very black. This afternoon about 200 unernploved men gathered on the river bank below the traffic bridge, where the plight of the unemployed was discussed. The speakers while firm, and sincere in their appeal were thoi oughly temperate in their tone. Government’s Responsibility. Mr F. T. Mills said that the meeting was convened to find ways and means to keep their families in better conditions than at present. Relief work was to he recommenced on Monday, but it was only a temporary measure and the workers could be dismissed at a moment's notice. One. matter that bad to be discussed was the formal ion of a deputation to meet the Mayor next Wednesday. The speaker asked that any in the gathering who had a grievance should stale it, so that it could be carried to the Mayor by the deputation. The council was not to be blamed lor not giving work, as it had no money to pay for it but rather it was the Government that .should he held responsible. He urged the meeting to lake no notice of Communist talk, as that would get them nowhere. They were not rebels yet, and would not take any rebellious action. Mr 11. Eastwood said that while m other places the unemployed, had organised to voice their grievances the fact that nothing had been done in Hamilton in this respect, had led to the impression that things were not so bad here. He contended, however, that for the size of the population Hamilton had as many unemployed as any place in New Zealand. The speaker did not complain of any lassitude on the part of the local bodies in providing relief in this district. The Hamilton Borough Council had done what it could, but its resources were limited. The position was, he declared, one with whicn only the Government could deal. The speaker did not deny that- the conditions were world-wide, and apparently the problem could not be solved by free trade or protection. One direction in which the Government could assist was by stopping the tide of immigration until such time as the existing residents of 1 lie Dominion were all in jobs. It was a curious reflection on the state of tho social system of the world that, while almost every country had over-pro-duced, these products could not ho sold because there was not the money to buy them with. Probably at no time in the world’s history had so many people been forced to go hungry. He did not know that an alteration of the currency system would very much improve matters. If an inflation of the currency was likely to relieve the situation, however, then let them inflate it, for it was far belter to have inflated currency Lhan deflated stomachs. (Applause.) Mr 11. Greene said the Borough Council had •suggested the appointment of a committee of level headed men to represent the unemployed. He hoped the meeting that afternoon would appoint such a committee. The speaker accused the Mayor of lack of sympathy towards the unemployed.

Not Bolshevists. Air Greene added it was not suggested that Bolshevik tactics should be used, but the unemployed should stand solidly together and in whatever they did they should co-operate. The question of rents was mentioned by the speaker, who urged landlords lo slay their hands in the matter of evictions and to show a little humaneness to tlie poor devils who were less fortunate and who, through no fault of their own, were unable to pay their rent. Mr Mills, who said lie had a wife andfamily of four children, and who said his stomach, like those of many others present, was empty, urged the unemployed to organise. They must, however, avoid anything that savoured of “red” taclics. All they wanted was work and the opportunity of providing food for themselves and those dependent on them. Air A. AL Elliott, who said lie had paid rales in Hamilton for 22 years, slated that affairs had come to a sad pass when such a meeting as that had lo be belli in llic town. He thoughtnothing should be done, however, to harass the council. lie suggested, Listed, a strongly-worded resolution lie passed for despatch lo the Prime Miijisler, urging an immediate reduction in the price of bread. He said the men gathered that afternoon were not, all relief workers. Alany were skilled artisans who found it, impossible lo gel, work. The speaker mentioned iliat one baker In Hamilton recently reduced Ihe price of bread by Id a loaf. He was forced, however, to revert to the old price, by pressure within the trade. Mr At. Watson said lie owed £-i :10s odd in rent and lie had received notice from a solicitor io pay up within I i days. If he didn’l, he supposed tie would be dragged into court, lie was unable to pay it. What was he to do. His must only lie a mild case, however, compared with some. Finally a committee was set up i-o meet Hie Borough Council.