NATIVE UNEMPLOYED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 205, 22 April 1932, Page 6

NATIVE UNEMPLOYED

Our Own Correspondent)

MEETING AT TE TEKO REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE DURING COMING WINTER DIFFICULTY WITH REGULATION

(From

WHAKATANE, Tuesday. Over 75 unemployed natives of Te Telco gathered in the school grounds yesterday to protest against their inability to obtain relief. The secretary of the Whakatane Unemployment Committee, Mr. W. G. Park, who had been informed of the meeting, attended and informed the natives that any grievance they might have, if stated, would be forwarded to the proper quarter. Mr. Pinekere Karaka, in weleoming the secretary, stated that the na-r tives were pleased he had come to listen to, and if possible settle, their grievances. Their children were- going to school, and all they required was work. A lot of confusion had been caused by the inability of the natives to understand the regulations regarding registration. They were afraid to become contributors to the unemployment fund, as those who had done so before, when they had obtained their coupon books, had been put off work, and although relief had been barred to them, had been threatened with legal proceedings for failure to pay their levies to date. Casual Work Unobtainable Prior to the relief works coming into existence the natives had been able to exist on casual work, but this was now denied to them, farmers being able to obtain their casual labour by means of the 4A Scheme. The coming winter would prove very hard, and all they desired was sufficient work to keep them from starvation. Mr. Hori Penetite, in supporting Mr. Karaka's remarks, referred to the fact that the single men also desired work, but had been informed that no relief was available for them. The following resolution was carried: "That this meeting of unemployed natives of Te Teko desires the Whakatane Unemployment Committee to do their utmost to find employment for the natives for the coming winter." Assistance Promised In reply, Mr. Park stated that he was sympathetic to the natives in their present plight. He realised that it was difficult for them to understand the regulations governing the operation of the Act, and assured them that if advice was needed he would readily give it. He was surprised that legal proceedings had been threatened against those unemployed who, though barred from relief, had been unable to pay the levy, and if the natives threatened placed their cases before him, he would have them investigated. The natives had been given a false impression of the attitude of the committee. The committee had, through lack of funds, been forced to cut down the working days, and" as it was admitted that the natives could live much cheaper than Europeans, it was therefore only fair that 'hey should be reduced according to their ability to keep tliemselves. As regards the single men, he could not at the present hold out any hope that work would be provided immediately "or them. He reminded them that a large sum had been placed at the di> posal of the Native Minister, Sir Apirana Ngata, from the unemployment funds,. and he considered that the Native Department should have taken steps to provide relief for the natives. He would, however, call a meeting of the Unemployment Committee immediately and place the meeting's views before it. On the motion of Here Reweti, seconded by Titi Rahi, the meeting passed a vote of thanks to the secretary for his attendance.