WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1932, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

RELIEF OF DISTRESS.

LABOUR’S ADVANCES

(Special Correspondent)." d

WELLINGTON, May 28,

The live Wellington Labour members of the House of Representatives —Mr C. H. Chapman, Mr P. Fraser, Air R. McKeen, Mr W. Nash- and Mr R. Semple—islsued a statement yesterday emphasising the urgent need for still more efforts, towards the relief of th e discomfort and distress accompanying the prevalence of unemployment. “Oatr experience since the l election in December of last year,” they say, “has convinced us of the imperative need of early and definite action by the Government to relieve the distress occasioned by unemployment. The fear, worry and uncertainty in thousands of homes cial'l foi an immediate assurance from tine Government that so long as food supplies are in the Dominion,, and the necessary raw material available to turn into clothes, those who are willing to work .shall not go .short of food, clothing and shelter.” An interview with the authors of this appeal -has suggested that they are thoroughly sincere i,n their offer of association and assistance.

VANDALISM CONDEMNED

In their statement the five Labour members, emphatically dfenounce the recent displays, of vandalism: “The irresponsible, smashing of’the windows of innocent shopkeepers, 'many of whom are themselves sufferers from the depression, and who generously assisted the unemployed and other necessitous cases,” they say, “will not solve the problem, nor will it remove the hardship and suffering of the unemployed. All the available evidence:, however, proves that the damage was caused by very few persons, and the genuine unemployed were in no way responsible.” There is a- tag, however, to their, protestation. They cannot forgive the Government entirely for having kept a crowd of unemployed waiting three hours "for an answer to- a legitimate question. They

suggest,as a reparation for this offence, that the Government should reimburse the shopkeepers and a.t once release a number of offenders who have fallen into the hands of the police and magistrates. Obviously privileges of this kim. are not within the reach of the harrassed politicans. ;

RELIEF WORK

The “Evening Post” is hopeful but not confident in regard to the measure of assistance the Labour members of Parliament can give the Government in.' making further provision, for the unemployed. It realises, however. that there still is scope for great-, ef co-operation. “Even without an, increase of funds,” it sayis, “wd.bebelieve that distress may be greatly alleviated if the. best use is made of the money that is available from public and private sources. A complete and co-ordinate system of inquiry is essential. This need not be harsh or objectionable, .and the Labour members can help in keeping it both sympathetic and just.” This is the spirit in which the difficulties of the times should be faced, and it is one in which the Wellington members of Parliament well may give the whole' community a lead. The Labour members set a highly creditable example to their constituents during the Great War and a similar opportunity is before their successors to-dav.