THE UNEMPLOYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 8 September 1926, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED.

MANY STILL OUT.

GOVERNMENT RELIEF WORKS.

With a view to ascertaining the number of unemployed, the Central Unemployment Committee, comprising represensatives of labour bodies, have decided to convene a meeting of unemployed workers. While the position is reported to be a little easier, there are still a considerable number who have not found employment.

The committee holds that the promises made by the Prime Minister with respect to the opening up of various public works, have been responsible for absorbing only a small number of workers. It would seem that the onus was placed on local bodies, who are restricted by the amount of money for new work. The position, they considered to be unsatisfactory, and calling for an early solution, in view of the number of newcomers arriving by each boat.

Reports received from the various relief works, it was contended, showed an utter disregard of the welfare of the workers who have to live and work in these camps. A delegate who visited the Bombay camp stated that no provision was made for drying the clothes of workers, the only fire in the camp being in the cookhouse. As a consequence the workers had to work in wet clothes. The average rate of pay was said to be abnormally low, and dependents in most cases had to wait a period of six weeks for allotments, thereby causing serious inconvenience to them.