CHRISTCHURCH UNEMPLOYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 159, 6 July 1921, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH UNEMPLOYED.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHPJSTOHURCH, this day. Sixty-four men, ex-soldiers, some of them seriously weakened in health, were looking for jobs to-day in. Christehurch, and unable to find them. Most of them are unskilled, but skilled or unskilled there is nothing for them to do. Visits to various parts of the city by officers of the Repatriation Department disclosed plenty of sympathy but not a single offer of practical help. All morning these men were coming to the, Repatriation Department looking for something to do to earn a few shillings, but went away disconsolate. The employment officer explained that work was almost impossible to get, and the condition of things was steadily becoming worse. Inquiries at the Tradee Hall disclose that the position regarding unemployment amongst general labourers is no better than amongsb skilled workers. Many stationary engineers are seeking jobs, partly owing to the closing down of freezing works and partly to the increasing use of electricity. Approximately ten per cent, of the men in this trade, it was said, are idle. There has been nn improvement in the printing trades, but unemployment amongst tailors and bootmakers is still extensive.