SEEKING A JOB.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 31, 7 February 1928, Page 5

SEEKING A JOB.

"SORRY, NOTHING DOING." TRAMPING THE CITY. HARDSHIPS OF UNEMPLOYMENT. They were sitting on one of the seats at the waterfront overlooking the launch steps this morning when a "Star" man strolled along. Mostly middle-aged men, who clearly had enjoyed better times, their voices had a ring of sadness. Men who had worked hard in various avenues of employment, who had earned just sufficient to feel that in their heyday the world was at least treating them fairly, to-day they were right up against it. Decent, clean-living men, well served physically; men who could honestly be recommended to give a fair return for a fair day's pay, go far as they could see there was no silver lining in the sky for them. In plain, cold language, they were "down and out," and though optimists every one, it was evident from their remarks they were not over hopeful of the near future. Micawber-like, they were waiting for something to turn up. Just a job, no matter the nature of the work, or how long it would last, so long as it brought in a few shillings. Several of tho*e who occupied the waterfront seats this morning were up and about before men with work to go to had left home. With nearly four thousand unemployed in and around the city, one has to hustle to get employment, and nobody knows this better than the man out of work. Himself, well, perhaps he could manage to battle along in a sort of way, but there were the wife and kiddies at home to be provided for. They had to be fed, clothed, and housed, and at the moment money was required to provide school books, as the children were beginning the new term. "The poor little wife is worried almost out of her life," remarked one chap. "Except for an odd day's work now and then, probably amounting to a week all told, I have done nothing for months, and I am a real trier. You know how hard it is on us, but it must be simply awful to the wives who are at home. Honestly, I don't know how they 6tand up to it. Take my own case. I don't want to be told; I know the position. Every penny I earn—and God knows it hasn't been much for months past—has gone in rent and food. Amusements and new clothes are not on the list at our house, and if it hadn't been for assistance from one or two kind friends I don't know where we would have been." "It's the same with me," remarked another. "Up till a couple of weeks ago I was in steady work, but the trade got very slack, and, with others, I was put off. Since then I have tramped the town and suburbs looking for work, but everywhere it has been 'nothing doing.' But it is no use grumbling—there are thousands in the same boat, and perhaps things will come right, although I cannot see how." And so the conversation continued. Each man, willing and anxious to work, but not getting the opportunity, was finding the world a hard one. The wolf is sitting on the doorstep of hundreds of homes in Auckland to-day, and he looks like stopping there. Able-bodied men, fine women, and bonny children are feeling the pinch ,which unemployment brings in its wake. The breadwinner walks the city and daily does a round of the most likely places, but at each and every one he is met with the reply, "Sorry, nothing doing." It has been so for months past; it will be so for months to come unless the Government and local bodies realise that the position is in need of immediate attention. Social workers are at their wits' end to ease the hardships ma-iy families are enduring, but, -vorthy and extensive as are their efforts, something bigger and more palatable to the army of unemployed is required. And the only way out is for the Government to do something.