A TRAGEDY OF DIET

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1930, Page 7

A TRAGEDY OF DIET

(Exchange). Boiled mutton and potatoes might bo supposed to constitute a fairly satisfactory, meal, given sufficient quantity, for the average toiler in these hard and necessitous times. Simple sou In, who have not thought of the fastidious palate which trades unionism may he capable of developing, might even see in such comestibles a fairly good dinner, for a man who has no work, and is in danger of starving unless lie accepts what manna is offered him. But apparently what’s good for the workers may be anathema, to the workless. It is reported that the meals that the Salvation Army is serving to the unemployed in Alellbourne, through the good offices of the people, are unacceptable to the members. of the TrudttvHall Unemployment Committee, who possibly have had no cause to partake personally of them, and the Salvation Army kitchen has been declared “black.” In New South Wales relief work has been declared equally “black.” An atmosphere of stygian darkness seems to .'be gathering over the unemployed in Australia, and soon sympathisers mnv find it difficult to determine, in this murky, haze, what measure of support they deserve, The unemployed, for their part, must surely be wondering apprehensively in what direction the next edict of the Trades Hall will be, aimed. There .seems to be little left to them that their peremptory leaders can ban, but,the ingenuity of extremist Labourities ijs notoriously tlioro hey might even carry their activities to a logical conclusion by declaring the unemployed themselves “black,” which . would provide an interesting solution for the unemployment problem if-,//as the Trades Hall authorities appeal to believe, a thing that becomes “black” ceases to exist—at least in any recognisable sense. Unfortunately, however, there is a flaw in their ; reckoning. .' \ -\

“Hunger,” a cable message*’’ from •Melbourne, states, “forced many men to disregard the leaders’ orders”— even “black” bread, or its. equivalent in boiled mutton and potatoes;; is. better than voluntary fasting. Tl/e arrogant fatuity of the people responsible for such lack of appreciation, of the efforts of the Victorian Government, and of other bodies, to assist those in distress, is scarcely deserving pf even unfavourable comment. Coming from Australia, where the doctrines of unionism have been carried , tp queer lengths, it is scarcely even surprising. The question is, after all, one for each unemployed person to decide for himself. If the demands of hunger unappeased are more strident than the demands of trades unionism lie can eat his fill of boiled mutton and potatoes ; if he values his loyalty to the Trades Hall above lib gross need for food and drink, hip way is equally clear—he can tighten his belt and find what nutriment he may in a noble contempt of a monotonous diet.,