FOOD ADVOCATED

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1932, Page 5

FOOD ADVOCATED

FOR UNEMPLOYED

VANDALISM IS CONDEMNED.

{By Telegraph—Per Press Association^

• WELLINGTON, May 23. A statement ;on the unemployed situation issued to-day by Messrs •Chapman,, McKeen, Nash and Semple,. Labour MIsCP. They i assert that all "'ll.ill'-!; to work should have food, ‘ck-jbhiug and- shelter while they are avai.able; that vandalism cannot be too strongly-' condemned; that shopkeepers wild- 1 have had their windows damaged Should ■be reimbursed the cost of the replacement; and that the Government should every week pay to willing relief workers sufficient to purchase food, fuel and clothing to keep them in their homes. They promise that the Labour members will undertake to cooperate with the Government in measures to provide'' adequate food, fuel, clothing and shelter for the unemployed.

MEDICALLY UNFIT MEN,

UNSUITABLE.FOR. CAMPS.

AUCKLAND, May 21.

Mi* M. J. Savage, M.P., for Auckland West, referring to the plight of meii classified ns fit for relief camps, after inadequate medical inspections, said-“ There is great difficulty in putting those mtfn into damps. Many of them are classed ag Being fit without real examination. This applies mainly to cases of men suffering from rheumatism. 1 defy any doctor to tell whether, merely by looking at a'man, he ig suffering from that cornpaint. I am not blaming the doctors, because there are not enough of them to go round, but it is a monstrous thing for men well up in yearg, after having suffered from alii diseases in the medical calendar, to go into camps. Unless a. man is 60 years of age he has to go into camp unless lie can show medical unfitness. It ig worse than a farce—it is a tragedy.”

LABOUR DENUNCIATION

OF ACTS OF VANDALISM,

WELLINGTON, May 23

In the Wellington Labour Members’ statement, reference is made in the following terms to the recent disorders: “The recent outbreak of vandalism must, be condemned by every citizen who has the progress, good government, 'and well being of mil citizens nt heart. The irresponsible smashing of the windows of innocent shop-keepers, many Of ivkom are themselves suffering ffofri the dspritesioh, and 'who have generously assisted the unemployed and other necegßitoue oases, will not solve the problem; nor will it remove the hardship and suffering of the unemployed. AH the available evidence, however, proves that the damage was caused by a very few persons, . and that the genuine unemployed were in no way responsible. While condemning the vandalism which took place, we are of opinion that criminal intent was absent from the minds of several of those arrested, and that the Government should take steps, after an inquiry at once, to ensure the release of a number of those who have already been committed to prison.”