UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20907, 14 July 1933, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT.

WELLINGTON STRIKE. NOT NATIONAL IN CHARACTER. (PHESS ASSOCIATION TZLEG Uk.il) WELLINGTON, July 13. In a statement to-day, Messrs Vella and McLaughlin make it definite that the strike in Wellington is not national in character. They say: "Many relief workers in Wellington are approaching the National Union officers, desiring to know if the strike which has been declared in Wellington is national in character. Would these men please note that this is not the case. The dispute is purely local, as Wellington has not yet been afforded an opportunity to affiliate with the National Union, therefore any action here cannot be termed national." It is officially stated that not more than 100 men were absent from work at midday. The women's picket now numbers 20. It Ts clear that the strike is not making headway. The propaganda committee of the strike committee says that approximately 1000 men attended a mass meeting to-day, and the Minister for Employment will receive a deputation later.

PICKET "VISITS JOBS. SOME MEN INDUCED TO CEASE WORK. (PXKSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, July 13. Striking relief workers this afternoon formed a picket and visited jobs on which men are still working, seeking to induce them to cease work. More than 100 strong they first visited the Wellington College ground where the men have been solidly against striking. They made such an impressive force that the small working gangs of about 20 men in each thought it best to cease activity. However tney will resume work to-morrow under police protection. With the police keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings, the picket visited the East Girls' College job, where it induced some men to join them. The mob then moved up the hill to approach.the Hataitai job, but the news of their approach caused all the workers there to decamp. The picket then formed itself into marching order, column of fours, but four constables in a motor-car barred the march and warned them against continuing in a massed body. The picket broke up and struggled on accompanied by the police on foot. Several other jobs were visited and the ranks of the pickets were swollen. The party then marched through Newtown, its numbers there being estimated at some hundreds, and arrived at the Trades Hall at 5 p.m., having covered about eight miles in a circuit of the relief works. It is understood that steps are being taken to prevent the harassing by pickets of men on the 80 jobs in and around Wellington. Four men were arrested by the police about 10 p.m. and will appear in the Magistrate's Court to-morrow charged with disturbing relief workers who are on their jobs. Implements Burnt. It is reported that two boxes containing 70 to 80 picks and shovels used on the new Johnsonville-Khan-dallah road were burnt on Tuesday night, practically all the tools being destroyed.

CANTERBURY BALLOT. MOVE TO SUPPORT HAWKE'S BAY MEN. A ballot among relief workers will shortly be taken by the Canterbury Unemployed Workers' Association on the question of a general strike of relief workers in support of the men on strike in Hawke's Bay. The ballot will be taken at the request of the National Union of Unemployed. Mr R. Macdonald, secretary to the association, said yesterday that a meeting of job delegates would be held on Monday evening to make arrangements for the ballot. A substantial majority against a strike is expected by men who are closely in touch with the unemployed. The Canterbury Unemployed Workers' Association is also making arrangements for a big meeting in Cranmer square on Sunday, July 30. to protest against the existing system of distributing rations. The association will urge that all the depots be closed, and that the Government put into operation the original Unemployment Act. According to Mr Macdonald, there is widespread dissatisfaction among the unemployed about the way the relief of distress is being haadled, ia (Qfaristchurch.

POSITION IN NAPIER. (v&tsa ASSOCIATION lII.B&EAU./ NAPIER, July 13. The relief workers on strike have not yet had an opportunity of giving a decision by means of a secret ballot on the question of resumption. The Mayor (Mr C. O. Morse) is now considering the question of providing means for the men to record their opinions on the advisability of continuing the strike. BOOT REPAIRS. RELIEF WORKERS' PROPOSALS. Twenty-one boot repairers on relief work attended a meeting in Christchurch to discuss the action- of the Business Men's Relief Committee in agreeing to allow business firms to repair some of the boots and shoes collected during the postmen's drive. They decided to ferm the Relief Footwear Repairers' Association, and to place suggestions for improved working conditions before the committee. Delegates were appointed to wait on the committee at its meeting to-night with a series of proposals, as follows:

That relief workers be allowed to do £1 worth of work each week over and above their allotted days worked for the Central Relief Depot. That the Relief Footwear Repairers' Association be allowed to do work on the same lines as outside repairers. That the work be done at a price to be agreed upon by the Business Men's committee, materials to be provided by that association. That the Business Men's Committee be approached to allow a five days working week, the wages to be subsidised out of the committee's fund.

THE BUILDING SUBSIDY. CHRISTCHURCH APPLICATIONS. Up to 4 p.m. yesterday the Labour Department at Christchurch had received 182 applications for the Unemployment Board's subsidy on buildings. These represent £147,945 worth of work, of which wages will account for £55,435. DUNEDIN APPLICATIONS. (pfiESl ASSOCIATION TELEGiUM.) DUNEDIN, July 13. During the last week 44 additional applications for assistance under the Unemployment Board's building subsidy scheme have been received at the office of the Labour Department, Dunedin. A total of 147 applications has now been received and the value of the work which it is proposed to carry out has reached the large sum of £100,330. No fewer than 55 houses are to be built under the scheme if all the applications are approved. There has been a marked improvement in the rate at which the board is granting approval of the works proposed. Information has been received that subsidies will be provided in 60 cases.

COMMUNITY SINGING.'

RECORD AMOUNT RECEIVED.

The receipts from the community singing in the Civic Theatre yesterday in aid of the Relief of Distress Fund constituted a record for any single session in Christchurch. The total was £64 10s, which is £6 lis 8d more than the previous record of £57 18s 4d, which was made on June 22. From the collection yesterday the amount received was £3O 15s 7d, which was exceeded on June 29, when £34 2s 8d was received.

From listeners, sale of goods, and other sources there was received yesterday £33 14s sd, the highest amount received from these sources. All the available accommodation in the Civic Theatre was taken up by yesterday's audience. In addition to community singing two vocal solos were given by Mrs Moran. Mr Alan Brown was song leader, and Dr. F. C. A'Court was at the piano.