MEETING OF PROTEST

Evening Star, Issue 21752, 21 June 1934, Page 14

MEETING OF PROTEST

TO TUB EDITOK. Sir, —Your correspondent in lust night’s 1 Star ’ is typical of the individuals you meet every day. “ You fight for all the concessions and I will sit back and take my share. I refuse to do anything except criticise.” As far as I am personally concerned, neither your correspondent nor his criticism gives me a moment’s worry. Just to live is not the greatest thing in life ; you must have a serious object, otherwise you are merely existing. I will deal as clearly as possible with the contents of the letter. First, the mayor’s depots were attacked, and also His Worship. I have a letter, in front of me dated June 9, wherein is stated: “ The Mayor’s Relief Committee has decided to give every man who was receiving 5s or over of ration relief ss, men receiving less to receive a lesser amount.” Now what do we find? Three married men approached me last Friday and told me they had been at the No. 3 depot, Dowling street, and were refused any assistance; each of these three was entitled to ss. After a lot of trouble I took them up to the relief committee’s room at Hannah’s Buildings, and they were given the amount they were entitled to. Those men should have received their orders at Dowling street depot, but it would appear that each depot is a law unto itself—in short, Rafferty’s rule. In the Valley one man entitled to 3s a week has not received it yet. He'received a pole from the mayor, and when the

lady in charge read it she tore it in halves and said they were taking no instructions from the mayor. His Worship the mayor is not only the chief magistrate of this city, but also head of the mayor’s relief depots, and consequently is responsible for their correct management. If he cannot control them he can dissociate himself from them. One does not need to be a Communist to be utterly disgusted not only with the depots, but everything elso connected with this enslavement of the workers. If it was necessary because Nature 'had failed, then we would be willing to starve with every other person, but this sacrifice is unnecessary, and consequently I think every decentminded man and woman should fight against, it.—l- am, etc., G. S, Gkddks. June 19 r