AID FOR WIDOWS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19891, 21 May 1936, Page 9

AID FOR WIDOWS

WHATAWHATA TRAGEDY. ‘ i i l M l DEPUTATION T 0 MINISTERS. i i __ i i PETITION RECOMMENDED. i ‘ _._ (By Telegraph—Special to Times.) “WELLINGTON. Thursday. Assistance for widows and dependants of the three relief workers who were killed on March 18 when returnlm: in a motor-lorry to Hamilton from their work at Whatawhahi was sought by a deputation representing the National Unemployed \\'orkers‘ movement, which waited upon the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. .\t. J. Savage. and the Minister of Labour. the Hon. H. ’l‘. Armstrong, this morning. The Prime Minister suggested that the representations should be made by \\'ay 01' petition to Parliament and that in the event of a favourable recom—mendation the Government would then have something upon which to act. This course the deputation agreed to adopt.

The deputation was iniroduced by Mr C. A. Bat-roll. .\i.P. fox~ ilalnilton. who said there appeared to be no way 0! obtaining compensation through the usual channels. Representations had been made to him on behalf of the families left by the three rellet workers and he had then pointed out that the only available method of proceeding for relief was by way of petition to Parliament.

The spokesman for the deputation. .\[r G. ’l‘. )lounoer, ot' \Vctlington. said the deputation sought a compassionate allowance for the dependants. The Govcrmnent had seen fit to make a grant to the Met‘ui'egor lteliei‘ Fund and it was felt that something should he done for the widows of the three treilet workers. 1 Mr Savage: The )IcGregor Fund is in a different category. That was a tnatlonal appeal and by making a grant tor £SOO the Government saved the \vidoxvs‘ pension. compensation Doolrablo. )lr Bart-ell said that £2O had been ‘raised for the dependants by henent iconcerts. .\lr Mouneer said although Ethere was a camp at \\'hataxvhata the ‘inen preferred to return to their homes Love-ry day and made some arrange—|mrnts. with the lorry-driver to convey them to and from their work. Mr Savagm A fellow has to go to and from his Job and some day there will be provislon for compensation to cover him in such circumstances. .\lr Barrell said he had already ad~ vised the parties concerned that if a petition were drafted he would sponsor it and speak on behalf of the petttioners before the committee to which the petition was referred. _\lr Mounc’er tto .\lr Savage): The movement has already made an appeal for assistance for the dependants. \Vlll you'sulaport it?

' Mr s‘B‘.\‘VaVS;Q‘-:H\Vh&t do you mean by that?

Mr Mouncer: If we put in a petition I take It you \\'lll see' It is given fair consideration by the committee"? Mr savage: I do not know what. the committee will do, but I suggest. you put in the petition.