THE UNEMPLOYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1926, Page 10

THE UNEMPLOYED.

» ■ LABOUR MINISTER INTERVIEWED. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, yesterday promised a deputation representative of the unemployed in Auckland to place 150 men in employment under the Public Works Department within the next three weeks. The deputation was introduced by Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P., who was supported by three other Parliamentarians—Messrs. AY. E. Parry, F. N. Bartram, and H. G. R. Mason, M.P.'s.

Owing to the recent slump in the building trade, said Mir. A. Rosser, addressing the Minister, unemployment was this winter worse than ever before. The deputation had a list of 400 men out of work, and it asked that they be found employment. A start on" the waterfront road to Orakei would materially relieve the position.

Mr. G. Stove, representing the Alliance of Labour, expressed the opinion that there were many more unemployed than shown in the list, and said that even the list showed that, with wives, children and men, a total of ItiOO perso-.is were practically destitute. People wore starving in Auckland, he alleged. Mr. A. Lees, secretary of the Alliance of Labour, remarked that a meeting of the unemployed was waiting at the Civic Square for the Minister's answer, and if nothing was done the Governm-nt couid not complain if the men were antagonised. The Minister: Are you not leading them on by suggesting" such things? Mr. Lees: 1 am continually advising them to keep themselves under control, but I just point this out so that the Government's activity will not lead to disorder. The Minister: I should say you were egging them on. Mr. Savage said the position was not over-emphasised. There were more than 400 unemployed in Auckland. The Minister expressed regret, but said that the matter as much concerned the City Council ami private employers as the Government. If people were starving, what was the Charitable Aid Board doing? .Mr. Lees said the men wanted work, not charily. The Minister said that he had been assured by the district engineer for Public Works that 50 men could be employed in a week's time, and another 100 a fo'-tnight later. These men would be employed on the Thames-Tararu Road, the Oknihnu railway, and at Otahuhu. and he would consult with the -Minister of Public Works regarding pushing on with other public undertakings. "But," eoncludcd Mr. Anderson, "1 must point out to you thai it is no use coniiirg to the Government for everything. Yon must look also to the civic authorities and the private employers. I say publicly that it is the duty of both to make every effort they can to provide work for these men. And if any citizen is starving, it is the duty of the Charitable Aid Board to look after hinu'^