UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17317, 1 December 1921, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT.

CASES OF HARDSHIP.

NEW ASKIVALS' EXPERIENCES.

Tlie position of several members of the Christchurch brnnobes of thp Amalgamated Engineering Union, recent arrivals from England, in respect of unemployment, and the fact that additional immigrants aro arriving, was discussed bv the branches, and it was decided to'forward to the Prime Minister, and to the Labour members of Parliament, a statement covering the cases of four members. This has been done, the statement being signed by each man, and counter-signed by Mr S. 'W. Kin;:, the secretary of the branches. In the statement forwarded,the names and addresses of the men were included, but at- their remi°st ther are not published. Following is the. statement, which is dated November 17th:—

"We. th« nhd?i signed, desire, to draw the attention of the Government to thp position in which «t find ourselves in t'r's country. W» are mvar? of the difliciilty cf <h» Government in btiTijr abl? to locate concrete ca.«-s of hirdshirc unless the case* are brought dir;ct!v and in detail to the notice <-f Cabinet Hinklers: therefor?, v:ith ibal- in view, it has been d:ci<ied to piewnt our esses in detail and to anp-al to l!i> representatives of the nation to «-c if sr-inrlMng cannot be dene to alh-viate the conditions which are b?ing {<rc»d on us each siirceedinsc day that we ore !;ne]<:j.byed. The future fcr v.* looks very sloe my intbfd v.h*r! wi realise tbe larg % number that r.r? still online cut. We recognise that, with th»ir aTival." lh° rrm:p*titi-xi for what wnik there might be offc-rinsr will become \erv keen. an. J of course will leave a la:ge r.nmbe- still unemployed "The Government is cognizant of the forces that are iu operation in the Oid Country, enticing the workers 1 to this country, therefore vre feel it should be the duty of the Government that, when out here, it Ehoiild assist the imraurrants until s'vr'n time as they bav* ob-tain-d w«rk. Unless something is don* to enable us to inert our financial liabilities, or give lis the opportunity of working to secure the wherewithal ti meet suih liabilities, then our vases will b'comp hopeless and desperate. To avoid that position encircling us, and for the good name of the country, wo make thb appeal both to the- human and the r.atiopal sentiment of the members of the Governmat. "Case Xo I.—A married man; 4J yeare' service in the Army during the war; came out under overseas settleruont Scheme: have bson in the country 11 weeks and secured seven weeks' work; all savings absorbed in rent and neoesßariee of life; hav-j visited every possible place in ard around Christ-church looking for work; High Commissioner's Office intimated mechanics wanted in New Zealand, the cause of my coming out. Seven years experience and apprenticeship with railway works in London. "War service with Technical Corps; London electrical engineer. Cafts becoming desperate; living now on borrowed money. "Case No. 2.—A married man, 34 years of age; three children. Came to New Zealand as a result of advertisements asking for mechanics for this country; gave Tip position in. Woolwich Arsenal, having been there 64 years; reference for 16 years' experience; working at Addington Workshops for three months, but owing to. weakneßß in left eye was discharged 'by order of the General Manager, Wellington. All my work gave every satisfaction. Have been her© 10 months and have secured eight months' work, and am willing to go anywhere and do anything. At present paying 80b a week rent, position getting intolerable for wifo and children. "Case No. 3.—A married man; 5 children; universal miller in engineering trade; 15 years' tool-making for Vickers, Sons, and Maxim, BirrairLgham; 2 years tool-makan.gr aero, engines, Gwynne' and Napier, London. Had decided to go to Peru and secured position, but Overseas Department referred me to High Commissioner of New Zealand, who stated that mechanics to the number of 20,000 were wanted here. He gave me assisted passage, and advised my leaving wife and five ohildren at Home, consequently have two homes to keep going. Have obtained three months' work in nine months. Impossible to 6end money homo; wife and children, in hopeless condition, and I am practically penniless. Have 'tramped Chrietelrurck and dis-' tricts looking for work.. "Case No. 4.—A married man; two children; litter by trade, having worked fifteen years wifli the Houghton, Butcher Manufacturing Company, London. Had taken a passport for South America but British officials advised my going to the colonies. New Zealand High CQnMnissiQner.,stated that me-, clianics were wanted in New Zealand, and was given an assisted passage.' Been nine months in colour, and secured five weeks' work. All money used up and am living on what I can borrow front friends. ' Cannot continue like this. Wdl go anywhere and do anything for a living. ~ ■ "You will be able to judge, for yourself the unhappy poeition of the above four cases. A great deal more could be said, but will/furnish details if necessary. There are s sirriilar cases to ours'within our knowledge, but wo think these four will convince the Cabinet of the sincerity of the persons named. "(I).Might wo suggest that an unemployment grant, similar to the English Unemployment Scheme, bo brought in' to assist us over this period, or allow the Government to lend us the amount necessary to keep us alive, and when in work we might be able to repay, the aruoTvnt loaned, or (2) Grant -u» sufficient to pay our fares back to the country from whence we came." PBIME MINISTEB'S BEPLY. On November 23rd Mr Maseey replied as follows: — * "J. have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th inst., bringing under notice four cases in which immigrants. are unable to obtain employment. I have taken note of th/> circumstances, and am bringing them under the. notice of thft Hon. the Minister b"f Labour with a view to see'iug whether the officers of his Department are able to assist the persons concerned in. finding suitable work. No doubt you will hear further from my colleague at an early date." SUBPLTJS LABOUB ON WELLINGTON WHABVES. (PKESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, November 30. The position on the wharves is not improving. Every day a big surplus of labour is offering. The weekly average of men employed for tho year ended August was The number of men engaged began to fall in June and July, and the average i 3 now down to 1050. The average pay-roll last year was £7OOO a week; the present is £4OOO.