UNEMPLOYED IN. CHRISTCHURCH.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 304, 28 June 1909, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED IN. CHRISTCHURCH.

CHIIISTCHUKCH, yesterday. About a dozen men waited on. the Mayor this morning to urge upon him the necessity of some further employment than was now available being provided. ' Members of the deputation urged that they had been out of work fulsome time, and, despite their efforts, they were unable to obtain employment. They therefore thought that, under the circumstances, the City Council should make an effort to increase the amount of work given. .One of the deputation stated that lie did not know where he was going to get enough food to last him till Monday. He was given free lodgings by a friend, but he had to find his own food, and he had no money to do it with. . The Mayor said, in reply, that he was very sorry) to see- men in such circumstances. ' He could , however, do nothing until after Monday, when the council would meet. He would then put the matter before them, but- he did not think, in view of the fact that the. Government did not seem disposed to do anything- at all, that the council would do more than they were now doing. The City Surveyor had reported to him that the number of men to whom work had been, offered was 88. Of these 50 had responded to' 4he offer and were now. at work. The wages sheet for the week — 37 at full rates and 13 at reduced rates— amounted to £112 4s. That was exclusive of the cost of horses and 'carts — a considerable item — and gangers' wages. He suggested that the' men should interview the members of Parliament, with a view of getting them to bi;ing pressure to bear upon the Gfovernment, A • member pf : the deputation said they were endeavouring to arrange an interview with the members. The Mayor said he was quite prepared to dp all lie could to assist the men. The council, as they would see from the figures' which he had quoted, were doing their best. ..He .would bring the matter of further 1 " work up before the council at its meeting on Monday night. . CimiSTCHTJIICH, to-day. There is a strong feeling among trade unionists regarding the City Engineer's refusal to pay the standard of 8s per day to a number of men on relief works. Thirteen have been notified they must get a permit 1 to work at less than the minimum, and they say they are worth . the minimum. The union apparently are determined to support them. They admit men engaged in work where the muscles are. not developed are not able to earn the minimum, biit they contend any man used to hard manual labor can fall into the pick and sjiovel work in a few days, and should be paid the minimum. ,