THE UNEMPLOYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1926, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYED.

HELPING ONE ANOTHER.

DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD. SCENES AT TRADES HALL. For many in Auckland Friday and payday are synonymous, but to some Friday has vow a new significance, as it marks a weekly distribution of the necessaries of life, which is made at the Trades Hall to assist people who are suffering in consequence of the present wave of unemployment. Jn the ranks of the Auckland Engineering Union, which includes fitters. turners, blacksmiths, brass finishers, motor mechanics, sheet-metal workers, tinsmiths, and pattern-makers, there are 103 men out of work. The Union Ims shown a splendid example to other unions in a time of stress. Bach member in work is making a weekly contribution of one shilling, and thus each week there is a sum of about £30 available, which is expended in groceries for distribution amongst the families of men who are less fortunate. Miniature Grocer's Shop. A "Star" representative who visited the union's headquarters this morning, found that the office resembled a wellstocked grocer's shop. Numerous small parcels were stacked on the tables, which included rice, sago, tea, sugar, milk, flour, oatmeal, butter, soap and bread. There was also a quantity of meat, not selected ribs or sirloin, but restricted to sausages and mince. It was explained that each necessitous case is dealt with on its merits, the whole of the work being supervised by a committee, which decides upon' the amount of the weekly allocation. Tn till there are -10 necessitous cases on the union's register. Some of the men in the allied trades which the union embraces have been out of work for a considerable period. The legister showed that a man with a wife and two children had been out of work for six months, while another man with a wife aud three children had not been employed for five months. The majority of tlie men, however, have been unemployed for considerably shorter periods. On the register aril also shown the various rents tbe men are faced with, in many cases ranging as high as 35/ a week. "Good" Friday. The work of the distribution of the groceries proceeds quietly an<j| systematically each Friday. Women or children come along, get their few parcels, and depart. There is a look of expectation on the faces of the children, as no doubt, to them, it is truly a good Friday. One of the officials of the union stated this morning that work in the engineering and allied trades was very dull, particularly the shipping section, although he was hopeful that within the next couple of weeks there would bo some improvement. The union, which has a membership of one thousand, has found work for fifteen of their number during the past two weeks. Increased Numbers.

The official figures of the Labour Department show that since yesterday there have been forty additional registrations by unemployed men, and that there are now 057 A class, and 192 B class men on the books. Since yesterday ten men were placed in employment. ' The Returned Soldiers' Association register shows that an additional two men have registered, the number of unemployed on the register now bein" 335.

HO RUSH AT NEW PLYMOUTH

(V,y Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

XEW PLYMOUTH, this day

An unemployment bureau opened at the Mayor's office on Monday last has up to the present received only twelve applications for work, although when a deputation waited on the Mayor on May 31 the union Secretary said there were 105 names on the register as unemployed.