WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1933, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

ODDS AND ENDS DISSATISFIED RELIEF WORKERS (Special Correspondent.) I " Tlie deputation of relief workers that waited upon the Hon. Adam Hamilton, who among otlier portfolios, bears that of Minister of* Employment, wfere not wholly reasonable in their demands for st.il further concessions than those they already have obtained/ The deputation’s speaker asked for the restoration of sustenance cuts, the abolition of the compulsory camp scheme; the discontinuance cf piecework; the immediate passage of legislation to protect women and children frolri eviction; the continuance of wages during sickness and wet weather, and the emergency charge 01 Is in the £1 to be made on the additional earnings and not on the sustenance payment. It would seem from these demands that if conceded they would add very materially to the burdens cf the taxpayers, many of whom are suffering more .acutely than are the unemployed.

MINISTER’S REPLY Replying to the deputation’s speaker Mr Hamilton said he was aware that the unemployed were beset, by difficult times; probably they were finding conditions even more difficult than Were any other section of the community. But they should not assume they were the only sufferers. It had been suggested that Great Britain had done more relatively than New . Zealand had done, but that' was not tlie , case. Referring, to the proposal to find another £1,000,000 in addition to the £4 OCO.OOD already practically collected, the Minister realised that it wou’d be harsh to gather another million from a community that was already heavily burdened in all directions.. Mr Hamilton agreed, however, that if the rates wore graded down so low that it was impossible for a man. to. make a- reasonable return, something'.sho'uld l 'be done to rectify the position. ' .

PRESS COMMENT The “Dominion" this morning, dealing uith the demands made upon the Minister of Employment doe g not mince matters. “Representatives of the unemployed who interviewed the Minister yesterday,” it sgys, “showed an almost oomp'ete -disregard for a,nv' difficulties other than their own. It appeared to weigh little.-: with them that their fellow citizens, by heavy sacrifices, were funding, annual- sums of about five -millions for ■ their- relief.. .Some of 1 those •iitin-yedprovide-the funds -are -no-bet-ter off than?those relieved. Far from receiving acknowledgihent, ‘.these facts •were, ignored in pressing for expenditure of an additional million pounds...

It is . the last Vtraw- that breaks the camel’s back." Truly enough the firmI'crs of the deputation that’waited upon Mr Hamilton Were Hot over chivalrous.

IWR COATES’ OPTIMISM -The Right Hon. J. G. Coates, in the role of acting Prime Minister, addressing the members of tlie Royal Agricultural Society.,; yesterday met. a more inspiring, company than did his colleague. “I feel that we as a nation,” he said, . “may well take our courage in both hands, and determine that conditions will improve, and. that nothing con be gained by constantly talking ‘depression’. I have given an indication of the movement in . commodity and base metal prices., In past history such movements have been looked upon as good indications. We are not past our troubles, not by any means, but I do think I am right .in suggesting that ‘things look brighter’." The spirit cf the Minister of Finance in the present crisis should assist in inspiring the whole community. - -