WORK FOR RATIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 266, 7 October 1933, Page 7

WORK FOR RATIONS

OBJECTION TO PRINCIPLE. ' DEPUTATION to mayor. Protests against tlie principle of working for rations were voiced by a deputation of about twenty relief workers who waited upon the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) at Palmerston North, this morning. The deputation was introduced by Mr R. Lee, president of the Palmerston North branch of the Unemployed Workers’ Movement. Mr W. Pas9ey said that the deputation was present under the instructions of relief workers generally. It was felt that people donating goods did not desire the men to work for them, and that the general opinion on the subject should be ascertained. It was believed that the opinions of the donors of the men should be considered. The workers felt that anything they obtained by way of rations should be as a subsidy to the bedrock wages received for relief work. Mr F. Lee said the men were totally opposed to the principle of working for rations and they intended to stand firm as they felt it ivas the “thin end of the wedge.” The relief workers felt that their purchasing power was gradually being taken away. Mr Mansford, he said, had made a statement that if he thought the relief workers would get more rations by not working for them he would certainly see to it that they would not have to. If he was sincere, he should call a meeting of citizens to see if they favoured giving rations without work, the speaker contended. There were 400 relief workers getting rations, but the speaker believed that another 1300 or 1400 would not apply for them. Mr C. J. Mandeno said it was felt to be “degrading to have to haggle for the necessities of life.” The workers had their minds made up and would still oppose the principle of working for rations. MAYOR’S REPLY. Mr Mansford, in his reply, said a heart to heart talk was desirable. He was not satisfied that the expression of opinion was that rations should not have to be worked for. “That may bo so, but I don’t know,” he added. It was peculiar that it should be considered the thin end of the wedge was being introduced when the system of working for rations applied only in Palmerston North and had been started on instructions from him. He had done his best and had considered the interests of the workers. Some 12 or 18 months ago he had sent round a list asking several questions from the relief workers in relation to rents and also several in relation to clothes, as well as many other inquiries. This was before he went to Wellington on unemployment business and he had gone to the Unemployed Workers’ office with several forms so that they would not feel they had been left out. He was then informed that it ivas his actions and those of others which were stopping the majority of the unemployed from being dissastisfied and joining up with the U.W.M. In addition one of its members, who worked in the city to pay his gas account, had a disagreement with the foreman. The Mayor informed him that his action would possibly influence the council, with the result that working off of all such accounts would be stopped. This man’s reply was that it would be a good job if it was, as the men would then become dissastisfied and join the U.W.M. “That certainly influenced me as to what my actions should be,” said Mr Mansford.

“I feel that there is something further underlying this deputation,” added the Mayor. “I am perfectly candid in expressing my own opinion—and not that of the Relief Committee —that it is in the interests of the whole of the unemployed that work should be done for the rations, not with the idea of getting in the thin edge of the wedge, but because if it were otherwise a great amount of support from the citizens would be lost. I do not think that you will be able to get an expression of opinion from the citizens. Quite a number are doing a lot anonymously for the unemployed. One man is giving an order on stores for goods to the value, of £5 a month, and none of us know from whom it is coming. “So far as I am personally concerned as Mayor, I have done my best and must carry out a policy which I think is in the interests of the majority of the workers. I may be wrong, but I cannot help that. I have an opinion and I am prepared to back it. I do not know what to suggest to you so far as securing an expression of public opinion is concerned, but I expect you could organise your own depot, let it he known that no work for the rations is required, and the support given you would be indicative of public opinion.”

“MOST OF THE MEN SATISFIED.” There were, continued the Mayor, only 488 names to a petition forwarded to the last meeting, expressing opposition to working for rations. Some 222 of those men were receiving rations. Since working for rations had been reinstated only two men had ceased to take them. He was very firmly convinced that most of the men were satisfied to work for rations. He had never endeavoured to influence the Central Relief Committee which, he said, would probably be prepared to receive a deputation. Mr J. Hyland said it was staggering that men should have to work for discarded clothes. There was a motive behind the deputation, and that was to do away with the whole of the relief system in the town. Families without the means of existence should receive it without work. The meagre relief allowance was insufficient to maintain them, and though they could walk, they could not lift a shovel or pick. He had been given to understand that the work was being commercialised, and where there was no employment of -any value to be done then rations should be given. He hoped that in the future they would not have to work for rations.

Mr R. Lee said all agreed that the Mayor had done quite a lot for the relief workers individually, but it was now time for the latter to be unified in one organisation. It was claimed that charity was being forced on them by asking them to work for rations, and that if the public knew the correct position they would still be prepared to give as much assistance. Most of the donations were only a surplus. Would the Mayor give every assistance if the relief workers established their own depot? he Mr Mandeno alleged that the Mayor was making capital out of, and hiding behind the statement of one particular man. , , ~ . The Mayor: I will not stand this nonsense. I have met you men fairly and if you are going to make these statements I will not listen. Mr Mandeno alleged that the system was being used because the Mayor did not want the workers to be organised here. The Mayor said he had always been on the side of the relief workers and would give every assistance even if they established their own relief de-

pot, because it was one’s duty to help his fellow-men, whatever their station in life, as long as they were respectable citizens. He had realised how hard it would be for the relief workers it the depot was closed, and the committee had several times accepted heavy financial responsibility to keep it going. He was opposed to men being compelled to go to camps, but men should work for rations while work could be found for them in the city or he feared they would lose public support. - . The deputation retired after their leader had thanked the Mayor for receiving them.