RELIEF MEASURES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 135, 9 June 1926, Page 9

RELIEF MEASURES.

POWERS TO LOCAL BODIES.

TEMPORARY LOANS AUTHORISED.

TIIE AUCKLAXD SITUATION",

(By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.")

WELLINGTON", this dar. The Wellington members of Parliament have discussed the unemployment position with the Premier and the Minister of Labour, and, as a result, a general committee, representative of the Employers' Federation, the Trades and Labour Council, the municipality, Returned Soldiers' Association, and the Labour Department, is to formulate a scheme of work.

The Hon. G. J. Anderson stated that the labour Department's unemployed showed the position to be one-third \vor?e than last year. Tt \vns not so bad in the Dominion jrenerally. lnit the strain was most severe in AiK'khnd. where rhe population vvas moro dense. The Premier announced that the Cabinet hail decided to brinjr into operation the legislation of 1322, empowering local authorities to raise temporary loans without ratepayers' poll? as an emergency measure to meet tiie unemployment situation. This was done particularly to meet Auckland's need.

THE WELLINGTON SITUATION.

(By Telegraph.-Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

When the local members of Parliament waited on the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and the Hon. O. J. Anderson to discuss unemployment and possible relief measures. Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., said that 298 men were registered with the Labour Department and there were 07 on the corporation's books. The average labourer's position was worse than it had been for three years, but not as bad as in 1921-22.

Mr. J. McKeen. M.P., ursed a better system of registration. He believed that unemployment was becoming a permanent condition.

Mr. W. H. Field. M.P.. said there was a laree amount of unemployment in hig district and he endorsed Sir John Luke's suggestion that the Tawa Flat deviation be put in hand.

Mr. C'oates undertook to call a meeting of renres?ntativrs of the organisations to co-ordinated relief measures.

THE WESTERN RECLAMATION

Tin Works Committee of the Harbour i Board reported yesterday afternoon that it was strongly of opinion that the embankment for the western reclamation should be proceeded with immediately. This work, which would absorb about 58.000 cubic yards of stone, would involve the opening of the quarries, thus giving employment to, and housing for. one hundred men for about seven months. It was a matter for investigation as to whether the board would be warranted in opening the quarries for this work alone. The alternative to the expenditure of money on opening the quarries would be to purchase the necessary stone by contract. Should the board decide to propped with the protecting wall of the boat harbour, about 150,000 cubic yards of stone would be required. It was resolved that the board consider the matter at a special meeting in committee.