DEPUTATION OF WOMEN

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21417, 8 March 1935, Page 12

DEPUTATION OF WOMEN

—♦ — PROTEST AGAINST CONDITIONS RELIEF AND SUSTENANCE REPRESENTATIONS TO BE MADE TO GOVERNMENT (.PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, March 7. A deputation representing relief workers' wives interviewed the Hon. Sir Alexander Young, Acting-Minister for Employment, protesting against the present conditions of relief. The principal speaker (Mrs A. Henderson) said they demanded the right to live, net to exist as they were doing. The Government should create conditions so that work would be available for men, and till those conditions were brought about they demanded a reasonable sum on which to live as people lived in this country. Other speakers put the case of youths and children, and one declared: '"You are making rogues, vagabonds, and despicable persons of us. You are starving us, and hitting below the belt. We would retaliate if we could, but a little baby can't even tongue back to you. I have to raise my little son on rations as though he was a prisoner. Yet he is a future soldier and citizen of this country." Even a cat would steal for its kittens, she said. At the Tail-waggers' Club, 10s a week was allowed for food for on Alsatian dog, and 3s for a Pomeranian The Unemployment Board had decided that 2s a week was sufficient for a child. "It seems that a dirty dog is of more value in this country than a baby," she said. "One wonders, sir, that you are not frightened of the time when you must face the Supreme Being, and answer His question, 'Why did you do it?'" Persuaded to Leave About 40 women assembled for the deputation, but only 12 were admitted. The deputation expressed the intention of sitting in the room till they got a satisfactory answer: but the women were persuaded by Mr P. Fraser, M.P., and Mrs Snow to leave. While the deputation placed its case before the Minister, the other women stood by. The authorities had taken quiet precautions against the possibility of any untoward demonstration. Police officers and a few detectives were on guard at the doors and in the lobbies. In the circumstances, their task was akin to a morning off. Introducing the deputation. Mr P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central), who was supported by Mr R. Semple (Lab.. Wellington East), said that the presence of wives of relief workers represented a last desperate effort on their part to secure alleviation of intolerable conditions. One woman appealed to the Minister to consider the weekly sustenance, which, she said, was tragically inadequate. A man. his wife, and child were asked to live on 25s a week. One-third of the allowance had to be paid in rent, leaving only 16s 8d for the maintenance of the household. The money purchased seven loaves of bread weekly, seven quarts of milk, half a dozen eggs, lib of butter, one shilling's worth of Hour, one shilling's worth of sugar, half a pound of tea. and sixpence worth of oatmeal. Three shillings were left for lighting and cooking. There was not a penny available for clothing or school requisites. The deputation demanded better treatment as a matter of right. It urged that the wives of men receiving sustenance should be allowed to work, if they were able to work, in order to supplement the allowance made to their husbands "I cannot make a promise." the Minister said in reply; "but the matter will be carefully considered. The Unemployment Board also has its difficulties; but I can assure you it is just as sympathetic as it can be. I am just as human as any person; but I have not the power to say definitely what could be done. "No Promises" The Minister added that quite a lot that had been said certainly moved one. The requests would be considered by the Unemployment Board, and he would make representations to the Government. "I intend to make no promises, because I am not in a position to do so," he said. "I do not want vou to go away thinking that the Minister has no sympathy." Mrs Henderson: Would it be convenient for you to rise? There are some ladies here who cannot sec you. The Minister (rising): I am sorry. I thought I could see everybody. A woman: Why arc those people who have power to do the things we ask not here to-day. The Minister: That is an argument I cannot enter into. Mr Fraser said that first of all the deputation wished to sec the Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. "Quite frankly," said Mr Fraser, "we anticipated the cold and disappointing answer you gave these women. I think it's a poor subterfuge on the part of the Government. I am bitterly disappointed, because I have never known you to give such an unsatisfactory and negative answer, and that after the Prime Minister put the responsibility on you of receiving the deputation. We are now told that the Minister will get the requests typewritten and analysed later on. Surely to God the Government can do something more effective than saying it will get statements type-written." Mrs Snow said the Minister had stated that the health of the people was the primary consideration. She asked that milk should be given to children who needed it. "The Unemployment Board are your servants," she said, "not your bosses. There is this baby four months old. Look at its poor little legs. I have some sons lying in France, and I ask you, in the name of the boys lying in France, to grant milk, which is the least you can do." The Minister: I am not aware that any children are deprived of milk. Mrs Vaughan (producing a letter): Read this. I get 10 pints for four children. Mrs Cook produced the reports of Plunket nurses and showed them to the Minister. "To be blind to the position shows a most lamentable ignorance of conditions in this country," she said. The Minister: The board is sympathetic, and where individual cases of hardship are reported the board deals with them. Mr Fraser: I don't know of a mote unsympathetic diet than sympathy. Mr Semple's Advice Mr R. Semple, M.P., said his advice to the women was to see the Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance. "If you are going to continue these miserly conditions, there will be hell in New Zealand. You are looking for it, and you will get it," he said leaving the room and slamming the door. The Minister said -that Mr W. Bromley (deputy-chairman of the Unemployment Board) said that some of the points raised could be adjusted. "But," said the Minister, "I think that the proper thing is to go into the