THE UNEMPLOYED

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20105, 8 December 1930, Page 7

THE UNEMPLOYED

DEMONSTRATION BROKEN UP. TROUBLE IN CATHEDRAL SQUARE. When the unemployed gathered ill numbers outside the Government Labour Bureau in Hereford street, on Saturday morning, the police requested them not to hold meetings anywhere but in Victoria square. The gathering broke up, but only to reform in Cathedral square, where there was every indication of the development of an ugly scone. However, it did not go beyond twenty minutes of jostling and struggling, in which the demonstrators were prevented, by the police, from holding a meeting. Some of the leaders managed to get in a word or two. The crowd swelled to about 400 at tho rear of the tram shelter and Saturday morning's busy traffic was considerably hampered. The leaders began to speak, and the police intervened. For some minutes there was a struggle and the constables were pushed to and fro. One man who had not previously spoken mounted the box, and stated that it was not right that the workers should be debarred from holding public meetings. The police tried to move him, but he stood firm, surrounded by nis colleagues. Eventually a woman called him away, and accomplished what the police had been unable to do. The crowd laughed and the man and woman vanished. The arrival of more police had the effect of dispersing the gathering, and tho men then moved off to Victoria square, where tho leaders continued their addresses. There were about 20 constables and detectives on hand, and the meeting lasted for about a quarter of an hour, after which it dwindled to a few who discussed the situation in small groups. By mid-day even these had gone, and another "demonstration" had been unsuccessful. LIQUOR IN RELIEF CAMPS. COMMENT BY A JUDGE. <p:ies3 association- telkgham.) NELSON, December G. In sentencing a number of men from an unemployment relief camp to various terms of imprisonment for taking part in a drunken riot and damaging a tent, Mr Justice Reed referred to the police report, lor which be liad asked, concerning tho conduct in unemployment camps. "it would be very useful," lie said, "if a copy of this statement were sent to the Unemployment Board. They may be able in some way to regulate the payments to these men .so that tho unfortunate ratepayers who are supposed to be assisting them should not liavo their money wasted in the way it apparently' is in the purchase of liquor. If something could be done in the way of payment of some of tho money to the dependents of such men, I think it would be a good thing. This business of paying men excessive wages to be squandered in drink and gambling, I think, is disgraceful. Now that we have this Board sot up, they will have power to deal with it, and I think it would be a good thing if this report was sent to them." Increase of Offences. Tho Crown Prosecutor said he would do so. Tho police inspector had told him that there had been a large increase of offences in the town, very largely due to the men coming in and "Mowing" their cheques. The Inspector of Police had. however only reported on the conduct of the camps. H s Honour: 1 think this report should be brought before the notice of tho Board in the hope that they will do something to prevent money being squandered in this way. In passing sentence, bis Honour said it was difficult to know how to deal with the men, although he thought it was necessary to make an example in order to discourage such actions. One could have treated it as a drunken riot and dealt with it quite leniently, but he must take into consideration the fact that the business of taking liquor into camps and getting drunk had t» be stopped somehow. He looked upon the ease as bad. RELIEF WAGES. STATEMENT AT NELSON. ■ VUF.SS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) NELSON, December 7. In connexion with the remarks made at the Waimea County Council meeting regarding the rate of relief wages, it* is pointed out by the County chairman that the Council's payments of 12s a day referred to the rate paid to casual workers. Any who are principally small farmers, permanent surfacemen, and bridgeme.". are paid 13s a day, and tractormen and drivers 15s.

RESENTMENT FELT AT FOXTON. MR BROMLEY'S STATEMENT. (.mESS ASSOCIATION TELEGKAId.; FOXTON, December 6. Resentment and indignation are expressed in Foxton at the statement made by Mr \V. Bromley, president of the Trades and Labour Council, and a member of the Unemployment Board, at Dunedin, as published in the Press, to the effect that conditions are so bad in Foxton that nobody pays rates or the storekeepers. The Mayor (Mr M. E. Perreau), in a statement to the Press, says that Mr Bromley's statement constitutes a gross slander on citizens, who are quite as honourable in this respect as those of any other town in the world. "Considerable hardship is suffered by a portion of the community through unemployment, which Mr Bromlev has in his power to remedy materially." said the Mayor. "Unqualified denunciation of the whole community bv Mr Bromley is entirely unwarranted." PAYMENT OF LEVY. POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. Tip to noon on Saturday approximately 38,000 people in the City and suburbs of Christchurcb had registered under the Unemployment Act. From the Christchureh Post Office, 17,500 receipt books have been issued, but that figure does not include those issued from suburban offices. The total amount paid in to the Chief Post Office at noon on Saturday, was about £10,200. In Wellington the figures on Friday last were: Persons registered, 25,141; receipt books issued 10,845.