UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20028, 9 September 1930, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT.

POSITION SAID TO BE SERIOUS. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE SOUGHT. *_ The unemployment position in the City was reported to be serions at yesterday's meeting of the Finance Committee of the Citizens' Unemployment Committee. It was decided to open a special fund to provide work for single men. The meeting was attended by Crs. E. H. Andrews (chairman), Annie I. Fraer and J. W. Beanland, and Messrs J. S. Barnett, B. J. PJcroyd, George Harper, B. T. Bailey, J. F. ijames, aud P. B. Climie (hon. secretary). Government Assistance. The Minister tor Labour (tho Hon. S. G. Smith) wrote that he would be pleased to take an early opportunity to discuss with the Hon. A. E. Bansoni the question of providing additional work to relieve the unemployment existing in Chrißtchurch. Cr. Beanland thought that that would be the end of it—they would not get much out of the Government. Mr Ecroyd: Do we got much out of any Government? He suggested that authority should be obtained from the Government for the City Council to spend a certain amount, to bo liquidated by a special rate next year. Mr Eamos said that £SOOO per week, in addition to what was being spent, would be needed to keep the unemployed in work. It was decided that Crs. Andrews and Beanland and the secretary should interview the Hon. H. Atmore, and place the position beforo him and emphasise tho necessity for immediate relief. Mr Ecroyd suggested that a statement should bo prepared comparing the amount collected this year with last year; also the number out of work each year. The chairman: There are many more out of work and there is less money available. The secretary: I think tho position is exceedingly serious. Bcplying to Cr. Beanland, tho chairman said that assuming the Unemployment Bill was passed the £IOO,OOO from th( Consolidated Fund should be available right away; the setting up of tho Board and the arranging for contributions would take some time. A start would be made with tho collection of contributions in December. Help from the Country. The secretary reported having taken up tho question of further appeals by branchos of the Farmers' Union, and he thought that there was every prospect that they would do their best. The president of the Malvern branch (Mr Hawke) had told him that he thought that quite a lot of potatoes could be spared, and he said that he would make an appeal to growers to send in potatoes. Cr. Fraer reported that as the result ot her appeals by wireless she had received half a bullock, three pairs of boots, and a few vegetables, and some clothes; also two or three jobs for single men. The Minister for Railways (Hon. W. A. Veitch), replying to the secretary's letter, wrote that he would be glad to give consideration to the request that goods from country districts for unemployment relief should be railed free, and he would communicate his decision later. The secretary said that in the meantime the payment* of railway accounts was being withheld, so that if the Minister granted the request there would be no need to apply for a rebate. Single Men. Mr Barnett referred to the remarks made by Cr. Fraer at last week's meeting regarding the necessity for something being done for single men. H* thought an appeal should be made td young men in banks and commercial bouses. Mr Ecroyd: Are not these people being sheltered by the attitude of the Cham ber of Commerce f Cr. Fraer said that the position regarding single men was pretty desperIt was decided, on the motion of Mr Barnett, seconded by Mr Ecroyd, to open a special fund to prqvide work for single men. Attitude of Chamber of Commerce. Mr Barnett asked if there was any communication from the Chamber of Commerce. The secretary: No; except what appeared in the newspapers. Mr Barnett said that the Mayor had expressed a desire to be present if the matter was to be discussed. Cr. Beanland said that the matter ghouid be discussed at the meeting of the General Committee to-day. The secretary remarked that the rates of pay was a matter for the local bodies. Cr. Beanland said that whatever they felt in the matter they would have to continue the present arrangements. When Mr Barnett and he waited on the unions, and asked them to con tribute it was on the distinct understanding that the rate of pay would be 15s 4d per day. If they were in the same position next year—and hj« hoped that they would not be—the question of pay would have to be gone into. At this stage this year ho was absolutely opposed to any readjustments. Mr Ecroyd thought that the attitude of the Chamber was to be deplored—that they should use the necessities of the unemployed to force wages down He did not think that they should con cesl their opinions about it. * The chairman suggested that he should express his opinions at to-day's meeting. Blec&rton Avenue. Cr. Beanland referred to the statement made by Mr R, B. Owen that there was £2OO lying with the Finance Committee for work on Biccarton avenue. He thought Mr Owen should be asked not to make such statements, because they were misleading. The committee had promised £2OO, provided Mr Owen raised a similar amount, beforo August Ist, and the Domains Board subsidised it; but he failed to do so, and the committee had used tho amount for other work. Mr Harper said that Mr Owen included in the £2OO mentioned by him the £l5O voted by the Metropolitan Trotting Club, and £ls from the Golf The chairman: Can you spend the £150! Mr Harper said that it eould not be spent till levels were taken. The Domains Board had set np a small committee with the object of pushing on with the work. The chairman: It is quite apparent that there is no £2OO available from this committee. The secretary was asked to write to Mr Owen to that effect. • The Depots. lir H. Chapman forwarded his. • report regarding the Sydenham Depot, whiah nt ovt that IX7 «ps£osafa wer*

dealt with last wouit: i„uu --.o (representing 436 adults and 517, children). The depot committee had decided to closo it after the distribution next Friday. The question of closing the depot and of finding other premises, if necessary, was referred to a committee consisting of Crs. Fraer, Beauland, and Mr Barnett. Staff-Captain Dry. (Salvation Army) wrote thanking the committee for a vote of £SO towards the Army's Men's Industrial Home. . He. reported that during- August the Home had supplied the record number of 11,566 meals at a cost of £251 10s 6d. Financial Position. Since the previous meeting subscriptions received amounted to £52 17s 2d; payments during the week amounted to £4Ol 9b, leaving in hand on September 6th £271 4s 9d. With the exception of £6l 10s sd—the amount actually at the disposal of the committee — the remainder of this £271 4s 9d was represented by commitments and accounts to be paid. The following statement was submitted, showing receipts and payments from April Ist to August 16th:— Receipts: Balance April Ist, 1930, £l7l lis 2d; subscriptions, £lBOl 8s 3d; Canterbury Bugby Football Union (For relief depots), £SB Is; Lady Wigram for footpath on hills, £SO; Returned Soldiers' Association, for footpath on bills, £SO; refund, 8s lOd; total, £2131 9s 3d. Depot account in hand, £4 14s lOd. Payments:—Grants to Christchurch City Council, £850; refund, account wages, footpath on hills, and clerical assistance to appeal, etc., £199 lis lid; Heathcote County Council, Marlow road and footpath on hill, £200; grants to St. Albans Belief Depot, £ll9 7s; grants to St. Martin's House of Help, £ll9 7s; grants to Salvation Army (two depots), £169 7s; grants to i Sydenham Belief Depot, £ll9 7s; coal, £3O; advertising, £29 3s 8d; station-1 ery, stamps, and sundries, £24 0s lid; cash balance, £271 4s-0d; total, £2131 I 9s 3d. J The position of the fund as on September 6th was:— Commitments: Improvements to Biccarton avenue, £150; Returned Soldiers' Association, £SO; Ellesmere County Council, £8; New Zealand Bailways, £4 19s 2d; coal account, £1 10s; balance available, £6l 10s sd; total, £275 19s 7d. Cash in hand: Citizens' Unemployment Fund, £271 4s 9d; Belief Depot account, £4 14s lOd; total, £275 19s 7d. Beplying to Cr. Fraer, Mr Harper said that the £l5O earmarked for Biccarton avenue would not be wanted for a week or two. Cr. Fraer said that there were 57 men employed by the Beserves Committee of the City Council and it was desired to keep them on a little longer. It was decided to vote £SO to the Reserves Committee. SLEEP TO-NIGHT! END INSOMNIA _« —_ Restful Sleep Assured Without Narcotics. Few know that two genuine Bayer Aspirin Tablets, before retiring,. insure peaceful, restful sleep, but be certain you take only the genuine Bayer Aspirin. Bayer, in 1900, told the medical profession of their new discovery, called, Aspirin. Bayer asked phyisicians throughout the world to adopt it in Insomnia or sleeplessness; having demonstrated that it would quiet excited and overwrought nerves without harmful effect. Now millions find repose without the use of narcotics and habitforming drugs. Don't experiment! Bo sure you obtain only the genuine Bayer Aspirin, sold by Chemists in boxes containing 12 tablets and bottles of 24 and 10U tablets—the Bayer Cross trade,, tnarfc appears on every tablet. .Baypr Aspirin costs no more than th<3 uncertain lmi--ta'tions and loudly advertised.. substitutes, which physicians, wbnjd. not think «f preecribing. «^,