OUT OF WORK.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 260, 7 December 1914, Page 5

OUT OF WORK.

During the past four .weeks 123 married men. and 49 single men have applied to the Christchurch office of the Department of Labour for employment. Employment was found for 28 married men and 30 single men, all on Government work, leaving 114 men still out Of work. Of these, 65 are general labourers and 30 are carpenters. The Department's four-weekly report adds: "Although there are 65 general labourers on the books, some difficulty is experienced in getting these men when they are wanted urgently.'' With regard to the twelve men put on the ballast train work on the local railway lines, at a wage of 9/- per day, Mr E. J. Howard, secretary to the General Labourers' Union, telegraphed to the Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister for Railways, asking that gentleman if he was in favour of sweating labour, as the men were receiving less than the award rate, 9/4 per day. Mr Herries replied that he was the .matter to the Department for a report. Mr Howard has how sent another telegram to Mr Herries, pointing out that his question was whether the Minister was in favour of sweating labour.