UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18673, 23 April 1926, Page 14

UNEMPLOYMENT.

POSITION NOT SERIOUS. A COMMITTEE FORMED. No figures were available as to the number of unemployed in Christchurch at a preliminary meeting of representatives of various bodies held at noon yesterday in the Municipal Chambers. cjome of the speakers, however, expressed the opiuion that the position was not yet serious. The meeting, which was preliminary in character, was not open to the Press. It was presided orer by the Mayor J. K. Archer), others present being Cr. W. E. Leadley (chairman of the Iteserves Committee), Mr A. It. Galbraith (City Engineer), Messrs A. D. Dobson, R. B. Owen (beautifying Association), G. L. Bull (Builders' Association), E. H. Marriner (Industrial Association), H. YYorrall (General Labourers' Union), and E. Snow (acting as deputy for Mr V. C. Ellis, secretary, of.the Freezing Trades' Union). Consideration was given to the 6teps winch should be taken in the event of a large number of men being thrown out of work in the winter months. It was agreed to write to tie Prime Minister, urging that the maximum number of men be employed at as early a date as possible on the work of laying down the new railway yard at Middleton. A resolution was also carried in favour of getting in touch with county councils, the Tramway and Drainage Boards, the Beautifying Association, and the Canterbury Automobile Association, with a view to ascertaining what work can bo provided' by individual members. Those present formed themselves into a committee to deal with the problem of providing employment for the worldess. The Mayor and Messrs Marriner, Worrall, and Owen were appointed a sub-coinmitteo to wait on Ministers of the Crown who may be passing through Christchurch, and urge on them the necessity for putting works in hand before the winter months. Registrations of unemployed by the Labour Department havo not been numerous lately. The following figures give the number for the week ending April 19th:—Carptenter 1, olerk 1, driver 1, engineer 1, labourers 35; total 39.