The Great Depression — work camps, riots and soup kitchens

THE GREAT DEPRESSION WORK CAMPS

By the end of 1930 urban businesses and manufacturers were feeling the flow-on effects. Demand for their goods and services fell, as did the prices they charged. Unemployment rose to 12% of the registered workforce in 1933, and those lucky enough to keep their jobs often found their wages slashed by as much as 20%. 

The government tried to ease Depression conditions through unemployment relief schemes, which often required men to travel long distances for small pay. 

Source: Politics and Government — The New Zealand Legion, NZHistory.

THE GREAT DEPRESSION RIOTS

During 1932 unemployment protests turned violent. On 9 January in Dunedin, hungry unemployed workers rushed Wardell’s grocery store, but were prevented from looting by police. On 14 April thousands of Auckland protesters were unable to get into a town-hall meeting. As their leader, Jim Edwards, rose to speak, he was struck down by a police baton. This created uproar: protesters ran down Queen Street smashing windows and looting shops. On 10 May 4,000 protesters in Wellington marched to Parliament. After an unsuccessful deputation to Prime Minister George Forbes, a small part of the crowd rushed along Lambton Quay, breaking shop windows. The next day protesters at a Cuba Street rally were charged and batoned by police. 

Source: Government and Nation — Public protest, Te Ara — The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

THE GREAT DEPRESSION SOUP KITCHENS

Soup kitchens run by a range of voluntary organisations during the 1930s depression provided hot meals for unemployed people.  

Source: Voluntary welfare organisations — Soup kitchens, Te Ara — The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

This story was curated and compiled by Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa | National Library of New Zealand, Services to Schools staff, May 2022.