EVICTION ORDERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18873, 17 February 1933, Page 4

EVICTION ORDERS.

RENT STRIKE RESULTS.

EMPHATIC PROTESTS ENTERED.

drastic action urged. Emphatic protests at the carrying out of evictions in consequence ot the rent strike were voiced at a meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Unemployed Workers’ Movement last evening, when Mr C. Parsons presided over a large attendance. Several speakers referred to the fact that the men could not possibly pay rent and feed and clothe three children on an average weekly earning of £1 10s, and it. was maintained that it was the Government’s and the people’s duty to see that the relief workers at least had a roof to sleep under.

11 The main cities used to be In the same position as we are In,” added one member, “ but the unemployed then demonstrated, and now they are adequately fed, clothed and housed. We have been trying by constitutional methods to get common justice, but it does not look as If we will get it unless we also kick and kick hard.” (Applause.) The conviction that the eviction orders were a definite challenge to the relief workers was the opinion of another speaker, who said the time was ripe when the challenge should be accepted. After considerable discussion the following resolution was tabled and passed: " That this meeting sends a letter to the Prime Minister demanding in common justice that the sustenance of the people should come first and foremost, sustenance including a roof to put his wife and children under.

A Night Deputation. A deputation was then elected to wait on the Mayor immediately and place the position before him of a man with a wife and three children, two of whom were sick, being thrown out into tho road. It was then 9.45 p.m., but the deputation went over to the Claudelands Showgrounds where the Mayor (Dr. F. D. Pinfold) was in camp with the Waikato Regiment, but the Mayor pointed out that he could do nothing for 'them at that time of the night, and the deputation returned to the meeting. A further deputation will wait on Dr. Pinfold this morning, and if no satisfaction is gained a mass demonstration will be held at 2.30 p.m. The question was further debated at length and it was decided to wire the member for the district, lion. J. A. Young, and the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr 11. E. Holland, protesting against the evictions. It was the opinion of the majority of the speakers, however, that concilliatory methods were useless. They had been tried too often and had failed. That more drastic actions should be taken was endorsed by the meeting, but the matter was left in abeyance until the next meeting of the movement.

EXECUTIVE TAKE ACTION.

DEPUTATION TO MR VALDER

MASS MEETING THIS AFTERNOON. Following the decision made at a meeting of the Hamilton unemployed last night, the secretary, Mr H. Olden, approached the town clerk, Mr W. L. Waddell, this morning and asked him to endeavour to arrange for a deputation lo meet Hie Mayor. Dr. Pinfold intimated that lie was unable lo accede to this request to-day through pressure of business but he agreed to hear the men early next week. In view of the fact that several eviction orders were pending, and the need for action was urgent, the execuof Hie unemployed decided to approach Mr Yalder, chairman of the Waikato Social Welfare League, and place the position of the men concerned before him. This was done, and Mr Yalder said that representatives of the League would communicate with Mr E. G. Johnson, secretary of the Waikato Hospital Board this afternoon and see if anything could be done for those who had eviction orders against them. In the meantime a further deputation went to Franktbn to interview the deputy-Mayor, Mr A. J. Denz, and Mr G. Lafferty. At an unotllcial meeting of the executive shortly before mid-day, Mr G. parsons, the president of the local Unemployed Workers’ Movement, said that Hie Welfare League’s report on their meeting with Mr Johnson would probably be available early this afternoon, and would be made known to the men at a mass meeting at the relief pay depot, when they were paid.