PROTEST PLANNED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 877, 22 January 1930, Page 8

PROTEST PLANNED

DEMAND FOR ALLEVIATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT HOSPITAL BOARD’S VIEWS If unemployment in Auckland is not alleviated in a very short time, Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board intends convening a meeting of local bodies to bring pressure to bear on the Government to force it to accept the heavy financial burden the Hospital Board is now bearing, in providing relief for distressed families in the city and suburbs. rjMIIS announcement was made by Mr. Wallace following a sion upon a report by Mr. IV. k. Howitt, chairman ot the Relief Com. mittee, who said the past month was the best experienced for some time. Unfortunately, however, he expected the demands during next mouth would be much heavier. Mr. M. J. Savage said he had received telegraphic advice from the Prime Minister that the chairman ot Cabinet's Unemployment Committee was arranging to have a number ot Auckland workless placed on publio works. He said that people bad heard and read about these things Jof years and in his opinion the pro, vision of employment on public works which was a temporary expedient, waj not going to solve the problem. While unemployment was going on the Hof. pital Board had to bear the burden of relieving distressed families, whereas the cost should be borne b>the Dominion as a whole. “I think the local bodies ought to protest against this aud insist that relief foe unemployed should be made a national charge,” he said. He considered that lochl bodies should insist on un. employment insurance not only for the protection of their own ratepayers but for tlie protection of till men. The chairman, Mr. Wallace, described the reported statement tha:: 1,000 workless were registered in Auckland as “startling,” This month unemployment was expected to be at its lowest and in the present situation he looked forward with grave misgivings to the coming winter. "I! something is not done we should call the local bodies together to protest, - ! he added.