UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20734, 20 December 1932, Page 18

UNEMPLOYMENT.

MEETING OF LOCAL COMMITTEE. The last meeting of the year of the Christchurch Unemployment Committee was held yesterday, when there were present:—Mr E. H. Andrews (chairman), Mrs A. I. Fraer, Rev. F. T. Read, Messrs J. W. Crampton, Geo. Harper, G. Maginness, F. W. J. Belton, and N. H. Graham. Mrs Fraer reported that although there was an increased number of applications from Sydenham there was at the same time a general decrease in the number of regular applicants. It had been decided to closo the Ferry road depot. Mrs Fraer expressed thanks to New Zealand Breweries, Ltd., for the use of their premises in Ferry road. Mr Harper reported that although a considerable quantity of gifts had been made for distribution at tho depots more were urgently required as most of the depots would be closed during the holiday period. Mr Belton stated that it should be clearly understood that the Rotary Club did not aim at replacing work usually done regularly by other organisations. The club desired to provide Christmas dinners for people who would otherwise probably go without. Requests had been received from a number of organisations to supply some, people who were usually looked after by those bodies. "We cannot carry other people's babies," he added. "Wo havo quite enough to do ourselves without other people thinking that they can shirk the responsibilities they previously carried and put them on to us." Request Prom Mount Herbert County. A request was received from the Mount Herbert County Council asking for support in a request to the Unemployment Board to improve the road recently built by the Public Works Department from Tcddington to Purau. The letter stated that the road passed over several small gullies which had had to be filled in, but owing to the wet season considerable subsidence had taken place and this would necessitate filling in before metalling was commenced. The Council was promised £ for £ up to AMOO in respect of the work, but unfortunately the grant had been withdrawn this year. The Council was quite without funds and was forced to apply to the Hoard for assistance. The Council hud conserved ample metal all along the route and had a stone-crushing plant which could be used for the work, but lacked money to pay for labour, tools, etc. The length of the road to be metalled was about .'!'. miles, and the metal for the work hud been placed at convenient spots along the road. It was agreed to support the request. A Resignation. Mr R. .1. Ecroyd wrote to the com mil tee with reference to his resignation. "1 am in somewhat of a dilemma as to whether 1 am a member of tho committee in view of your ruling concerning my duly qualified successor nominated "by the United Burgesses' Association," wrote Mr Ecroyd. "As I slated in inv formal resignation I am not now a delegate of that body, and in order to adopt the correct method I duly tendered my resignation so that I should not lay "myself open to the charge of sitting* on the committee without authority. When the question of receiving my successor was before you for consideraGIFTS FOR MISSIONARIES. TO IHE EDITOR. OF TUB FKfiSS Sir,--Many oi' your readers will Jiavo been deeply distressed by the tragic loss of tho new mission vessel of tlm Mclanesian Mission, tho Southern Cross, on a reef off the island o, Anoityum. ' Tho ship itsi'K was insured, and also tho stores, but unfortunately it was found impracticable to insuro the Christmas presents which were being sent out to the missionaries. This may seem a comparatively small element in the disaster, but when one considers the long lonely years spent by our missionaries in the islands one realises tho eager anticipation with which such a pleasant incident as the arrival of the "tuckboxes" is looked forward to. The exiguous salaries of tho missionaries can provide only the buresl necessities, and tho little extras which Christmas brings, arc a help and cheer not only in themselves, but as an evidence ot the loving thought of friends at homo. This then is tile object of my letter —to ask any friends of the Melanesian Mission in 'Christchurch Diocese who may wish to do so to send small gifts in nioncv to Miss Cameron at tho office of tho Mission in tho Church Mouso, 173 Cashcl street, which may he expended by the Bishop to provide some Easter gifts to make up for tho Christmas disappointment. As the Bishop sails on January Cth from Auckland, such gifts should bo sent within the next few days.—Yours, etc., CAMPBETJi CHRTSTCHURCH. CARTAGE FROM ADDINGTON. to inir r.Dtion or the rr.r.ss Sir, —At Addington sale recently, I purchased through a well known stock firm one weaner pig at 13s, which was landed at a North Canterbury railway station, about 60 miles from Christchurch. 13y this time it had cost another 8s 6d in addition to the pricepractically two-thirds the price of the pig. Of this amount, 6s was for box and cartage from saleyards to Addington station—a distance of about 20 chains. There are dozens like myself who havo to pay this exorbitant charge, and 1 would like to know where tho amount of work is involved to warrant it.—Yours, etc., TAKEN DOWN. Tormore, December 19th, 1932. .♦When this letter was referred to the head of a stock firm in Christchurch he stated that there were no facilities at Addington saleyards for trucking one pig. and therefore it would have to be taken to Addington railway station. \lso, it would have to be placed in a crate, the value of which would be 2s. perhaps. Freight for 60 miles would be about 4s, and the charge of 8s 6d did not seem to be excessive for the work done. Tn most transactions more than one pig was concerned, and for the cartage and freight on several pigs the figure would not ho greatly increased.] ENGLISH PARK NOISE. TO THE E'JITOH OF THE PRESS. Sir, —I desire to make a most emphatic protest through The Pkess to the bedlam to which the residents -:n the vicinity of English Park were subjected this Sunday morning, to say nothing to the service of the Salvation Army being disturbed. We shall have enough of this during tho evenings when the park is being used. Several cyclists were being paced by motorists, the noise from whose open exhausts was -i us t damnable. I threatened that I would ring the police, only to be rudely spoken to. Is there any legal remedy for this abomination?— Yours, etc., , _. DECENCY. j December 19th, 1932.

tion, you ruled that as the Unemployment Committee was appointed by tho Unemployment Board you had no authority to accept Mr S. W. Richardson as a delegate in place of myself. If this ruling is the correct one, then I was certainly under a misconception, and my reason for resigning was not a valid one. As a further point, I submit that my resignation not having as yet been accepted by the Unemployment Board I am still a member. Meanwhile, I hold that the question of my resignation is in abeyance and I formally withdraw it on the grounds: (1) That the reason given was not a valid one (according to the chairman's ruling), (2) that (again according to the chairman's ruling) you had no power to accept it." It was decided to refer the matter to the Unemployment Board. Girls Without Work. Mr Crampton reported having represented the committee at a recent meeting of the Boys' Employment Committee. There was an erroneous impression that unemployed girls were well provided for, he said, whereas they were in a difficult position. Mrs Fraer said that she hoped the Boys' Employment Committee would change its Jame to Youth Employment Committee so that it could work on behalf of girls as well as boys. At the conclusion of the meeting the chairman wished members af tho Board, the Labour Department, and the Press tho compliments of the season. Mr Crampton thought that greetings should also bo extended to the relief workers. "Thev have not been forgotten," said Mr Beanland. "We have erected notices in various yards wishing the men a merry Christmas and a happy New Year." THE SELWYN. PROPOSED WORK. FOR UNEMPLOYED. A work which it is probable will be put in hand shortly as a relief job is tho cleaning of the bed and the straightening of the course of the Selwyn river from the mouth to Coe's ford, a distanco of about two and a half miles. An inspection of the riverbed was made yesterday morning, those present being Mr P. R. Climic (Unemployment Board), I". Langbein (District Public Works Engineer), G. P. Ellis (chief draughtsman Lands Department, Christchurch), J. Hislop (chairman Ellesmere County Council), J. Simpson (chairman Springs County Council), and E. L. Ncalc (clerk and engineer Springs County Council). The river flows between the two counties over portion of its course. The object of the proposed work is to minimise the danger of flooding, to which the river is prone. At present any efforts m de to protect adjoining property from floods is left to individuals, in consequence of which the work has not been done thoroughly. It is proposed to bring forward a scheme whereby protective works will be carried out iii a comprehensive manner, at the same time mailing a better water course. To rid the bed of its accumulation of tree growth it is probable that a tractionengine will be necessary, while scoops will also be used to dispose of unnecessary shinglo and other spoil. When the report is available it will be submitted to the local bodies concerned for approval. If the work _ is decided upon, it is expected to provide employment for a large number of men for a considerable period. TOYS FOR CHILDREN. MAYOR'S PARTY TO-DAY. Toys are to be distributed to about 1000 children in the Civic Theatre this afternoon about 2 o'clock, under tho supervision of Mis T. Green, chairman oi the Benevolent Committee of tho North Canterbury Hospital Board, and Mr H. S. Feast, of the Town Clerk's staff. The partv has been planned by the Mayor (Mr" D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) for the benefit of children of relief workers other than those employed by the City Council, the latter having been provided for at the carnival held at Linwood Park on Saturday afternoon. Father Christmas will be at the Civic to see that the children are looked after satisfactorily and it is also intended to present a programme of musical and other items. To the parents of thoso children who alreadv havo toys or who will get them from their parents, or from the Salvation Army or the Rev. L. McMaster, tho Mayor makes an appeal to keep the youngsters away from the theatre. He stated yesterday that this was necessary because of tho demands made on the generosity of firms and others who found toys for the 3000 children of City Council relief workers, making it extremely difficult for him to obtain sufficient for the remainder of the children. The Mayor added that ho did not want some children to get a double share of the toys while other children received none, which was likely to happen unless parents acted as he suggested. CHRISTMAS PARTY. ARRANGEMENTS AT RICCARTON. A Christmas party is to be held in the Riccarton Town Hall on Thursday night for the children of relief workers resident in the district. Invitations have been issued to about 150 children, and passes will be distributed to them later. None but those who hold passes will bo admitted and all must be in the hall by 7 o'clock. Tho big event of the evening will, of course, be the arrival of Father Christmas who will distribute presents to each child, who in addition will be given ice-cream, sweets, soft drinks, balloons, and supper. Games will be plaved and there will be other amusements. Donations are invited by the committee which has the arrangements in hand, either toys or money being required. These may be left at the Town Clerk's office up til] 4 p.m. on Wcdncsdav. Gift of sweets, cakes, or fruit may. however, be left at the office up till i V- m - on Tflursaa y-