UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 199, 15 April 1932, Page 6

UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

("Post" Special Commissioner) . -

mass'deputation demands work or sustenance from minister

STRONG TERMS EMPLOYED

WELLINGTON, Thursday. In strong terms a mass deputation of unemployed women made a request to the Minister in Charge of Unemployment, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, to-day for at least the same consideration as single men from the Unemployment Board. The deputation was introduced by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland and several Labour members endorsed the sentiments expressed by women spealcers. Mr. Holland said that he wished to give the strongest possible support to the representations that had been made. A mass deputation of unemployed women was a new development in the unemployment situation and he reminded the Minister that the moral conditions of a country depended largely on its economic conditions. The request made by the women was a reasonable one; they had simply asked that they should receive from the unemployment fund what the men received. It was only reasonable that the Government should be asked to see that work was provided for women, and f ailing work sustenance should he paid. It should not be necessary to stress the- dangers of the present situation. Should Abolish Board He also supported a request that the Unemployment Board should be abolished and that the Minister should take direct responsibility. Miss O'Connor assured the Minister that many employers were taking advantage of the situation to exploit women workers. Girls were being required to work 14 hours a day for seven days a week-for a wage varying from 2s 6d to 7s 6d per week. There were many other instances where a girl was expected to do work for her food and bed. Speaking in impassioned tones, Miss O'Connor informed the Minister that the deputation was going to get what it asked for. "This is not a threat," continued the speaker. "We have discouraged our men, who hold thoughts of insurrection, but we are no longer going to do that. We are going to stand shoulder to shoulder with them (loud applause). We will fight back to back with them and when the women start to fight, all I can say is: 'G.od help you and all the other people on the benches of Parliament.' " (loud applause.) Letting Country Down Mrs. Davies, who stated that she .was a New Zealander, said that unemployment was so serious among women that many waitresses had to work until 10.30 at night and kept some of their friends. The women were quite willing to pay the unemployment tax so long as they were recognised by the Government, which should give them either work or sustenance. . Single men who went infco camp got their keep and shelter and 10s to 12s a week and she suggested that the Unemployment Board should put women into some suitable job at 22s per week or pay them sustenance at that rate. New Zealanders were at the head of the Government, but she was sorry to see how they were letting their country down (applause) . Women were not going to seek charity from the hospital boards. They paid the tax when in work and were a Government re.snonsibiIity just as much as the men. Forcing women to pay a tax and making no provision for them was imposing on the womanhood of the Dominion. "If you canot put us on the same footing as the men," concluded the speaker, "let the Government be men and admit: 'We cannot do it, so we will resign.' " (loud applause.) Minister's Reply In replying Mr. Coates said the Go.r vernment had been blamed for the situation, but he would remind them that, with the exception of Great Britain, other countries in the Empr:e had done little for the unemployed. In several countries they were much worse off than they were in New Zealand. A voice: "Never mind about other countries." Another interjector: "We are hungry." Mr. Coates said that every effort was being made by the Government to provide work for people before easier means were resorted to. The Unemployment Board was now asking the different central organisations to send in their requiremer.ts. and the board would do its best .to meet them. Mr. Coates said that the Government would not allow anyone to starve and the organisation to cope with the position would be as extensive as possible. He wished to point out that everyone receiving income, salary or wages was called upon to contribute to the unemployment fund because it was realised that those who were in worlc should shoulder the responsibility of maintaining those out of work in a manner that would earn the approbation of all decent citizens. The Unemployment Board would provide for all those in distress as a result of unemployment, leaving the hospital boards to look after normal cases.