MINISTERIAL REPLY
TO DEPUTATION
UNEMPLOYMENT MATTERS
(Per Press Association — Copyright.)
WELLINGTON, Nov. 22.
A deputation representing the organised unemployed of New Zealand waited on Hon. Mr Gobbe and Hon. Mr Hamilton to-dlay, placing before them numerous matters.' One of the chief matters raised was that, of the sentences imposed in connection with the recent riots.
In regard to these, Mr Cobbe said that quite a number had already been reviewed by th!e Prisons Board. He pointed out that daw and order must be preserved.
The deputation made requests for sustenance without work, tlie placing of unemployed women on the same sustenance footing as the men; the abolition of the camps; the abolition of the distinctions between the town and the conn thy unemployed; full compensation for injuries; and action to prevent hardship by eviction from their homes.
Mr Hamilton assured the deputation of the Governmentis sympathy in hh*ir difficulties, but safid that to give effect to the bulk of the requests would mean that the funds would not last long. He said that sustenance without work was not in the best inforests, he said, to attack the 4A scheme, which was relieving the funds to a large extent. He defended the lalllotment scheme. He contended in regard to sustenance for women that they were getting 'fairly favourable treatment. It was not true that the Unemployment Board was coercing men into scabbing on their fellows in any industry.
LAND SETTLEMENT SCHEME
WELLINGTON, November 22
In reference to the settlement of unemployed on the land, Mr Coates stated to-day that as far as was concerned, finality had been reached, and a scheme had 'been chosen. It would be ready for submission to Cabinet after the Treasury had been consulted! on the financial aspect.
TO DEPUTATION.
“RED FLAG” SUNG IN HOUSE.
WELLINGTON, Novembe 22
The words of the “Red Flag” were heard in Parliament Buildings this morning, when a deputation of 200 unemployed spent over three -hours in placing their views before the Ministers of Justice and Employment. Requests were made for a reduction in the sentences of the riot prisoners and for sustenance without work. Thu Hon. <l. U, Cobbe announced that tlie Prisons board had already reviewed the riot sentences.
The Hon Adam Hamilton gave it as his opinion that it was not in the interest of the unemployed themselves that they should get sustenance without work.
Cries that constitutional procedure had failed marked the end of the gathering, while the majority of those present sang the “Red Flag,” the spokesman declaring that it was the only hope the workers had left.
The deputation d’spersed quietly, without the knowledge that in an adjoining room were fifteen policemen.
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Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1932, Page 5
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446MINISTERIAL REPLY Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1932, Page 5
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