THE UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1928, Page 4

THE UNEMPLOYED

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. CHRISTCHURCH, June 20. The immediate opening of a relief depot for assisting families in distress, as a result of the unemployment, was urged by several speakers at a meeting of the unemployed held in the Trades Hall. After discussion, two members of the committee were' appointed to wait on Mrs Herbert in regard to the matter. The speaker who introduced the subject said that there was a large "number of families hard up against it, and ! if a relief depot were opened it would be a great help to them. The chairman (Mr A. E : . Fisher) said that if the boulevard scheme got started, lie thought the money should be put in it, but if there were no signs of the scheme getting going in a month or so (cries of Oh!) the funds could go to a relief depot. The Hospital Board provided relief for necessitous cases'. Tlie first speaker said that large numbers of citizens were willing to give boots, underclothing, etc. to a relief depot. The Hospital Board did not give these things out. Mr Fisher said that hoots arid underclothing could be obtained from the Hospital Board. The first speaker said lie understood that a certain "person was sent round to the homes of the applicants for relief and advised these, people to soli their furniture. He did not think that was-a fair thing. ' Air Fisher: That-is so. I mentioned it in my address at Aulsehrook’s factory, but no prie lias been asked to sell his furniture since then. The Alayor told me that if any man is asked to sell -his furniture, to let him know immediately. -If anyone present hears of that being done, I hope lie will,let us know about it. Another man, who stated that he had seven children, said that he could get boots from the Hospital Board, but there were lots of other things which could be obtained from a relief depot. Last year Airs Herbert got tart-load* of stuff whic-h was a great help to many families. : Air Fisher said that Ensign Newton, of the Salvation Army, had told him that she would see what she could do in regard to supplying clothing. The previous speaker said lie had no doubt that if Mrs Herbert got going again, she wouid soon receivo a large

quantity of food, clothing and boots. A depot should be opened as soon as possible. Air C. Craig, who has been appointed correspondent for tire unemployed, said he was quite filling to interview Airs Herbert about tlie matter. If the unemployed had to wait a week or two longer before the boulevard scheme got going they would be" in a bad way. (Hear, hear.) They must therefore get busy straight away, as there were a lot of good-hearted people in Christchurch ready and willing to assist if shown the way to do so. (Applause.)

After further discussion, one of the riieii said that there had been a good deal of controversy last year about the depot. Some of the unemployed objected to Mrs Herbert’s methods, hut iie had assisted her in the depot, and could say that no one who was genuine was ever turned down. Sometimes men the worse for liquor came a Ion; arid made a nuisance of themselves, and naturally she did not like that sort of thing. It was decided that Alessrs Fisher and Craig should interview Airs Her bert, and see if it was possible "to get a depot opened immediately.

Air Fisher said that if anyone had any complaints about Mrs Herbert’s methods, he wished to hear them, so that they could be inquired into. As no complaints were forthcoming, the meeting passed on to other lnisi ness.