THE UNEMPLOYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 129, 2 June 1926, Page 11

THE UNEMPLOYED.

AN ACTIVE EXECUTIVE. ACCOMPLISHING GOOD WORK. APPEAL TO CITIZENS. CLOTHING BADLY REQUIRED. Although only a few hours old, the executive committee of the unemployed, headed by the Mayor (Mr. G. Baildon), and set up to deal with the unemployed question in the city, has already accomplished good*-results and in two days work has been found for 75 men. This result is considered a very satisfactory beginning, but the executive is not going to rest at that and is ' anxious to see that work is provided for all who require it. When the members met this morning, Mr. W. Slaughter reported that the list of unemployed had increased to 1082, including 150 returned soldiers. Private employment had been found for 30 men, 20 had been sent to public works, and to-day the .City Council would take a dozen more, while the Electric Power Board could place N three. The City Council also expected to take on 12 more men on Monday next. Again, the Returned Soldiers' Association, since yesterday, had given work to 12 men. The Mayor remarked that it was a good beginning and he felt that in a week U»e lot of. the unemployed would be considerably eased. The Council intended to do all possible and he knew the Auckland Harbour Board hoped to do something next week. Mr. Mackenzie: That's right, we hold our meeting on Tuesday. Mr. Holdsworth: I would just like to mention a matter that came before us yesterday. It was stated that an electrical worker had complained that he had gone to the Railway Workshops looking for work and was told that he could not be given work unless he was an immigrant. Now, I made inquiries and want to give that statement a flat denial, and there is not an atom of truth in it. However, there is at present a scarcity of electrical workers and five can be placed tomorrow, so if any electrician is out of employment he has only got to get into touch with Mr. Slaughter and a position will be found for him. Mr. S. Donaldson (Mayor of Newmarket) said lie understood from the borough town clerk that teii men would be put on next Monday. The Mayor: If we get a favourable reply authorising a loan for relief works then I think the position will be considerably eased. Mr. Mackenzie—(chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board): I think we should make an appeal to the public to assist us. I am certain there are a thousand people in Auckland to-day who could give a day's work gardening or doing odd jobs about a place. Every citizen who can employ labour, if only for a day. should be asked to do so. Other members supported Mr. Mackenzie, and it was decided, through the medium of an advertisement, to appeal to citizens to assist. Staff-Captain Davies, of the Salvation Army, who was present, said he would like to deal with the rumour that had .been broadcasted that 300 men were sleeping out city. His,-officers, "together with the police, had uiade investigations, and there was no truth in. the statement; There would always! be'-a few who would sleep out, but they were a mere handful. There was no need for any man to- sleep under Grafton bridge or in the Domain, ivhi'di it was said men were doing. If a man had no bed, then he should get in touch with the Salvation Army officers at Wellesley Chambers, and a night's rest would be found for him. Plenty of Distress. Asked by Mr. Oakley Browne (N.Z. Natives' Association) if there was much .distress ill. Auckland, Major Gordon, of the Salvation Army, said that the position wa s acute, bu± no worse than in 1922. Last week 110 families had been assisted, and the Army had distributed three and a-half tons of coal, also a large quantity of groceries. ''If you know of anyone really hard up," said Major Gordon, "send them along and we will do something for them." She added that clothing was badly needed, and any parcels would be greatly appreciated. "The commercial travellers gave away 2000 blankets when they held their big day, and no one knows how much they were appreciated."The Mayor announced that a working man, "Anonymous," had sent 5/ alon£ and said he would send 2/6 each w-eek from his earnings. The executive would be pleased to receive any donations and hand them over to Major Gordon to make the best use of. Evidence of the severity of hardship IS to be Witnessed at the various Home, of the Salvation Army in the city. These are overcrowded and the management Is being taxed to provide shelter, food, and clothing for the large numbers seeking help. This will be realised more fully by some of the figures given by the officers who are responsible. Major Gordon, the Samaritan officer, investigated and supplied food to 110 families during the past week; to 50 families were supplied coal and 30 families were given warm clothing, besides blankets and mattresses in extreme cases. The Men's Industrial Home at Epsom, where accommodation is provided for 40 men, had no less than 76 inmates last night; the manager, Commandant Clark, is almost at his wits' end to obtain food and clothing and beds for this abnormal increase. The same thing is being experienced at the WoVkmen's Home, Lornc Street, where Commandant Parsons, in addition to providing accommodation for those sent with an order from the Charitable Aid. has supplied 70 beds and some 150 meals. It is to be sincerely hoped that work may be found for these men away from the city, but in the meantime the Salvation Army cannot see men hungry and sleeping out so lonT as they pro able, and anvkiml r>f nssistaneo. cither food, clothing or blnnkets, will l w pladlv n?knowledged.

THREE MEN FOR NORTHCOTE.

' The Northcote Borough Council last evening decided to authorise the employment of three,- more men to carry out works requiring immediate attention. The Mayor, Mr. C. A. Deuxberry, stated that the committee recently formed to cope with the unemployed question, had decided to meet daily. Of the 700 unemployed men on the register, some would-be absorbed on works atWaitakere for the City Council and on harbour works. The committee had agreed to press for legislation giving local bodies power to raise loans up;to £10,000 for urgent public works without a poll of ratepayers. In this way the unemployed could be absorbed "much sooner than by initiatim? works" which would be subject to lo»_