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READERS' VIEWS
UNEMPLOYED APPEAL
(The Editor, "The Canberra Times")
Sir,—I wish to draw the attention
of the citizens of Canberra to the
plight of the unemployed men in the
No. 4 Camp.
Those men who reside in all parts
of the Commonwealth find themselves
now in this city with Xmas only a
few days ahead, and absolutely no
means to tide them over the festive
period. It is only fair that this sec-
tion of the unemployed should be
given a week's work to allow them
to buy a few necessities. These men,
I claim, are genuine unemployed for
they have in the majority of cases
walked from the ends of the Com-
monwealth in search of that elusive
article called work. They have also
to put up with all the hardships of
a tramp's life, walking along in-
hospitable loads, sleeping in places
that would make the majority of your
readers shudder, and putting up with
all the discomforts of life that are
possible and, in all justice they should
be given some consideration.
There has, I believe, been a deputa-
tion to the Minister for Home Affairs
from the camp before, and I under-
stand that although they received no
satisfaction on that occasion, there
was no definite refusal and I now
suggest that another deputation
would be timely. Surely Mr. Blakeley
will see his way clear to do some-
thing in this matter for it must be
remembered that the party for which
he stands would certainly like it to be
done.
It has been remarked that these un-
employed are not locals, but surely
sir, the city should not have any
classed in this way, for Canberra re-
presents every town and state in our
Commonwealth and any man who is
in the city should have the same
claim of relief work as another. I,
myself, am a native of Tasmania but
find it impossible to return owing to
my financial position, and I maintain
it is my right to expect from the
Federal Government the same amount
of relief that I should receive from
the State Government.
I appeal for the sympathy of the
citizens of this city for these men and
I trust that the Hon. Minister for
Home Affairs will give this matter his
earnest consideration.
YOURS, etc.,
L. W. HOWROYD.
Canberra,
Sunday, December 7, 1930.
$