RELIEF CAMPS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1933, Page 6

RELIEF CAMPS

CHRISTCHURCH DEMONSTRATION (Per Press Association— Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, June. 20. Over a thousand unemployed men from relief jobs in and about tiie city attended a mass meeting at Latimer Square this morning, and made a demonstration opposing the compulsory camps ior married men, and urging tne restoration of the ten per cent cut in relief workers’ pay, and resolutions were accordingly strong and forciule. 'Jiie police woie on duty.

As a precautionary measure six to eignp policemen were stationed at oveiy approach to the -city and several at tne approaches to Uatbcdr.nl Square. In addition, scores were on duty at Latimer Square. Strict precautions ucro taken to prevent- the men matching to the business sections of the city, and they were diverted back to the streets coming in various groups, large and small, and walking four abreast to Latimer Square, almost every man carrying a 1 uiieli bag over his shoumer. Good order was maintained. By noon two thousand men were present.

Later, representatives of the men waited on the Mayor.

The demonstration • -is believed to have been organised by a central hod}' of sixty job delegates forming a council, which lias been discussing plans in secret for threo weeks. The demonstration decided as follows:—This mass meeting expresses unre lent out opposition to the camps system of unemployment especially its compulsory features, and pledges its determ[nation to continue to tight until the Unemployment Board abandons the scheme in its entirety.

The meeting proceeded without any disorder.

An officer in change of the Labour Department states the men will mn •be paid the time lost to-day nor will it be made up to them.