UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20898, 4 July 1933, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT.

MEETING OF LOCAL COMMITTEE.

SINGLE MEN STAYING IN TOWN. Amongst the matters dealt with at the meeting yesterday of the Christchurch Unemployment Committee was the question of "] e unemployed men who, although, as it was stated, there was work awaiting them in camps, were staying in town »nd sending canvasseis round from house to house asking for subscriptions to be devoted to the relief of their distress. In a statement made by the chairman (Cr. E. H. Andrews) it was emphasised that those persons who were providing funds for the purpose possibly were unaware of what the p jn was. It was reported that the rover scouts of Christchurch had set up a committee for providing tea or soup for women and children and had everything arranged except a suitable building and the unemployment committee was asked to assist them in obtaining suitable premises. The meeting was attended by Crs. E. H. Andrews (chairman), J. W. Beanland, J. S. Barnett, Mrs A. I. Fraer, Messrs George Maginness, W. W. ScarfT, George Harper, J. W. Crampton, W. J. Walter, R. T. Bailey, W. E. Leadley, Rev. F. T. Read, and Mr L. N. Hitchens (honorary secretary). Mr P. 11. Climie, a member of the Unemployment Board, and Mr S. W. Richardson attended towards the close of the meeting. Single Men and Relief. Following upon a reference, in committee, to canvassers going from house to house asking for relief for single men out of work, the chairman, on resuming in open meeting and at the request of members made a statement. The chairman said that with regard to the home for single unemployed men, canvassers were being sent round to solicit subscriptions to keep the men in the home. The men were entitled to receive work, and work could be found for them at the camps. Instead of accepting work they were staying in town in order to escape going to work in the country. Mr Bailey: If they are in need of help the Metropolitan Relief Association will consider their cases. Mr Crampton: It is an unfortunate position that the churches are giving them help. The chairman said that perhaps many persons were giving them help because they did not know what was the position—that these men were staying in town, living on the public while, as single men, there was board and lodging for them in the camps in the country. If persons had money to give in charity it would be better to give it to the relief of families. Mr Leadley reported that he had visited the Returned Soldiers' Association's camp at Glenroy, where there were eight single and three married men. They were camped on a reserve of the Selwyn Plantation Board, and were cutting firewood. They were doing excellent work, and were very happy in camp. The men had been taken off the hands of the Labour Department altogether.

Subsidy for Orphanages. The Commissioner for Unemployment (Mr G. C. Godfrey) wrote regarding the committee's resolution referring to granting building subsidies in the case of orphanages, that the question had been before the Unemployment Board on several occasions and, after full consideration had been given it, the board regretted that it was unable to give preferential treatment in such cases. It was explained that the Minister for Employment had since undertaken to reconsider the question. It was decided to reply emphasising the possibility of speculative builders receiving the 50 per cent, subsidy in respect of several dwellings, while in the case of orphanages it was a question of homes for orphans. Relief Measures. Mr Harper reported regarding the central relief depot that things were going on well. Th»re had been a certain increase in applicants, but it had been possible at present to supply their wants. Mrs Fraer made a request on behalf of the sewing centre for wool wherewith to knit children's singlets. The wool she said could not be paid for out of unemployment funds, and the request was made to anyone who could supply wool to communicate with Mrs Tonge. The reports were received. Kover Scouts and Supply of Sonp. Mr Crampton said that the butcher yvho was providing soup to persons in distress had told him that he could not get more than eight gallons disposed of, and he was anxious to supply as much as 40 gallons. He also reported that the rover scouts of Christchurch had formed a committee for the purpose of helping to alleviate distress, and their desire was to provide a room where women and children could get a cup of tea or a bowl of soup free of charge. They had everything arranged except a suitr able building, something like the women's rest room, where they could go without being branded as paupers seeking charity, as would be the case if they went to a room labelled "soup kitchen." An endeavour was being made to get scouts in the country to provide vegetables. The chairman suggested that the matter might be referred to the women's unemployment committee. Mrs Fraer said that the difficulty was with respect to the returning of the containers. Mr. Crampton said that the idea was that the tea or the soup should be consumed on the premises. Cr. Beanland said that mention had been made of the Women's Rest Room, but the whole of that building was let. The building in Tuam street recently vacated by the Central Relief Depot was empty. Mr Bailey: What about getting the tram shelters? (Laughter.) Mr Maginness said that Mr Crampton's suggestion was on right lines—there must be a lot of essential food going to waste. If the scouts were prepared to undertake the work, the committee should assist by trying to get them a suitable room. The chairman: The scouts are as likely to find a suitable building as we are. Mr Harper suggested that it might be possible to get the use of a room at the Normal School. Mr Crampton said that he would follow up the suggestion. Protest from Coal Miners. The Canterbury Unemployed Workers' Association forwarded the following letter received by it from the Point Elizabeth and Liverpool State Collieries' Employees' Union: "I am instructed by the members of the above union to protest emphatically to your organisation against the resolution passed by your committee asking the

Minister for Mines that fuel should be mined for the unemployed at relief rates. If this resolution is correct as reported in the press, we do nofr think it is in the interest of either party that such a resolution should come from your organisation, as at the present time the mines on the Coast are working less than half time. If this is not correct, please deny same, as the miners will not stand for anyone entering the mines under award rates. Please find report enclosed. I remain, Yours in unity, E. McAlavey, secretary." . Cr. Beanland said he did not think that they should take any further action in the matter. Cr. Barnett: It was an unfortunate suggestion. Cr Beanland said that perhaps the committee had been justified in its original action, but members of tho committee did not know then that the miners were only working two or three days a week. If they had known that, it was likely that they would not have made the suggestion. Mr Scarff: We were only after the best for everybody. The letter was received.

BOOT REPAIRS

At a meeting of the Canterbury Boot Repairers' Association last evening, it was decided to petition the Minister for Employment, protesting against the action of the Unemployment Relief Committee in doing boot repairs for the unemployed as their businesses are seriously affected by this action. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the Mayor to protest against boot repairers being employed at the relief depot to repair boots for less than the ruling rates of pay for their industry.

j HAWKE'S BAY STRIKE. DEMANDS OF UNEMPLOYED REJECTED. (PRESS iSSOCIATIOM TET.UGRAIf., NAPIER. July 3. A conference between representatives of local bodies and the Provicial Council of Unemployed failed to reach agreement last >veek. The local body representatives met and agreed to all the requests fiade. Since then further requests have been made by the unemployed, and these have been rejected. These demands included:— That local bodies confer with the unemployed on all matters requiring attention. No relief workers' camps under any consideration. Provision of hot tea at raornin;* tea and lunch hour. Three-mile limit to count from the post office. The right to appoint delegates representing the men on each job. Some of the men, when interviewed, said the trouble will now extend, and may embrace watersiders hTid transport services throughout the country. Some of the workers assert that an excuse is being sought to involve all workers.

RELIEF CAMPS.

WORK BEING DONE IN CANTERBURY. TEN SCHEMES FOR ASSISTANCE. There are at least 10 unemployment relief camps ir. existence in Canterbury at present, and each is doing a work that has both a present and a future value. The latest to be established was the Ashley camp, and the two main bodies controlling the various schemes are the Public Works Department end the State Forest Service. The Slate Forest .Department controls three single men's camps—at Eyrewell, near Oxford, at Balmoral, and at Hanmcr Springs, and there are abou; 50 single men engaged in work at each. At Eyrewell the work consists of replacing tree failures, road formation, and the construction of fire-breaks. Very similar work is being dene at Balmoral, and both camps have been in operation for about 12 months. The Hanmer camp began at the beginning of May, and here the raen are busy planting larch, pinus radiata, Corsican pine, Douglas fir, and pinus ponderosa trees. The men receive 10s a week and their food, and are accommodated in tents, lOtt by 12ft, floored and framed, and with a fireplace and two bunks each. A cook house and mess room are also provided.

Plenty of Work in Sight. Mr W. G. Morrison, Conservator of State Forests in Canterbury, stated yesterday that work would continue at. least until December. There was plenty of work in sight, and as long as the money was available they would carry on. The men were engaged in good, healthy occupations, and the work was productive, contributing to the future wealth of the country. Indeed, he said, it was one of the best schemes the Government could carry oui. Four camps are under the control of the Public Works Department. At Lewis Pass, the upper camp, on the north side of the Hope river, accommodates 30 single men at present, but there are vacancies for another 40. Originally the lower camp was set up near Glynn Wye station, and it had completed all the work in that vicinity. Now it is in the process of being moved 10 miles eastward. It is proposed to carry out a fairly extensive scheme of river protection work, which is necessary to keep the Waiau river from eroding the southern bank, over a distance of two miles. The Amuri County Council has assisted by providing money for the purchase of materials, and the principal operations will consist of the construction of groynes and wirenetted gabions. Road Formation. Also from this camp site it is probable that the formation and metalling of a number of the river flat sections of the road, which hitherto has not been touched, will be undertaken. The camps are situated well in the back country, but so far no very heavy falls of snow have been experienced. The upper camp has not a very suitable location, but it has been found that improvement is not feasible. At the Lake Sumner road camp, 25 men are engaged in widening the road going into the Lake

Sumner runs. This road was constructed by the Public Works Department some five years ago and is fairly narrow. To date two miles have been widened, and there is work in view for this camp that will justify it being enlarged to take 40 men. There is sufficient to keep this number well occupied for 12 months, and the matter is now under consideration by- the Unemployment Board. The First Established. The camp at Hilltop was the first for single men established in Canterbury under the control of the Public Works Department, and it has been in operation nearly two years. The work done so far has consisted of widening the Hilltop-Long Bay highway over 14 miles, and a marked improvement in the road has resulted. Exceptionally good work has been done since the completion of this section in widening some of the smaller branch roads, also a short section of the Christchurch-Akaroa highway near Duvauchelle. This camp is being moved to Little River, where the widening of the road between Little River and the Hilltop will be undertaken. The next work to be done is the widening of the ChristchurchAkaroa highway along Lake Forsyth. At present 45 men are in this camp. A Locality Allowance. The Ashley camp, for married men, originally was to accommodate 150 from Christchurch and 50 from Rangiora. Difficulty was experienced, however, in inducing all the men for whom room was available to go from Christchurch. There was considerable discussion on daily travelling as against actual camping, but the Unemployment Board decided to .give a locality allowance of Is a day. The Ashley camp has been operating for about a fortnight, and 80 men were at work there for this period. The majority elected to travel daily from Christchurch. Originally it was agreed that all work done in this camp should be on a piece, or co-operative basis, but the instruction has now been modified and for the first month, at any rate, the men will be on wages. Mr W. Bromley, a member of the Unemployment Board, who is at present in the south, proposes to devote a day to unemployment in Canterbury on his return north in about a week, and the Ashley camp will be among the matters he will consider. At present 34 men are working at the camp established by the Waimakariri River Trust, where accommodation is provided for married men if required, and they are engaged in river protection work. The other Canterbury camp is at Ashburton, where about 50 men arc concerned with irrigation. TOWN AND SUBURBAN WORKERS. EQUAL TREATMENT SOUGHT. (MESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, July 3. A deputation of representatives of town and suburban relief workers waited on the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Minister for Employment, this morning to urge that town and suburban workers should be given equal treatment in the matter of the allocation of Unemployment Board funds. Requests were also made for the abolition of the stand-down week, and for wet weather payment. Another suggestion was that the Government to enable a full allocation

should borrow £20,000,000, spending it in two years and repaying it through the annual unemployment fund now at £4,000,000. ~ A The Minister, in reply, said that it was the object of the board to allocate the money fairly according to the needs of the different districts. He was pleased to say that no additional taxation would be required to augment the fund, which was in a satisfactory position at the present time, though it was anticipated thaUbefore the end of the winter a considerable number of registrations would be received and would require assistance. With regard to wet weather payment, the board might be able to help in that respect. As for the standdown week, it was the creation of the local bodies, and was brought abbut mainly at the request of the local authorities and the men themselves, not at the request of the board.

BUILDING WORK.

APPLICATIONS TOTAL £105,000,

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD'S SCHEME.

Up to 4 p.m. yesterday the Labour Department at Christchurch had received 109 applications under the Unemployment Board's building subsidy scheme for assistance in altering or erecting buildings. This represents a cost of £105,421 lis 7d, and of this sum wages account for £40,001 19s 6d. Assuming that the subsidy of one-third is paid on all these works, although in the case of new dwellings a higher subsidy if- offered, the Unemployment Board will be faced with an expenditure of more than £13,000 in Christchurch, if approval is given to all the applications. Yesterday it was announced that, in addition to the more important build-' ing proposals already mentioned, the Canterbury Education Board would call tenders this month for the erection of the new intermendiate school at Shirley on behalf of the Education Department. This work will mean an expenditure of about £BOOO. City Council Permits. The Christchurch City Council's permits for June numbered 27, representing £5347 worth of work, as compared with 49, worth £12,317 in the corresponding month last year. The figures for the half-year disclose that permits issued to the end of June represented £22,480 worth of work, as compared with £24,006 worth in the first six months of last year. The detailed figures are as follows: JUNE.

193? -34 1032 33. "Valuo. So. Valuo. No. Ward. £ £ Central—Inner area 3,012 4 5,180 5 Contral—Outer area 410 5 1,842 10 St. Albans 964 6 2,500 19 Sydenham 688 5 2,607 8 Linwood 15 1 20 1 Sprevdon 133 5 143 5 Woolston 125 1 25 1 6,347 27 12,317 49 HALF-YE AB, Central —Inner area 3,072 5 7,783 10 Central—Outer area 4,258 20 3,148 26 St. Albans 10,161 39 6,849 36 Sydenham 2,064 16 4,340 26 Linwo"d 1,556 10 208 7 Sprcydon 943 15 1,164 16 Woolston •» 42G 8 544 8 22,480' 113 24,038 129