UNEMPLOYMENT

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21026, 30 November 1933, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT

WORK ON RAILWAY LINE BOARD CRITICISED BY MAYOR OF WAIROA (PBESS ASSOCIATION TXLZeMV.) WAIROA, November 29. Recently relief workers employed on the Wairoa-V/aikokopu railway refused work, claiming that the work was maintenance and that it should be paid for at standard rates, and they struck. The result was that the men concerned were refused further relief by the Unemployment Board. At last night's meeting of the Wairoa Borough Council the Mayor (Mr Harker) referred to the position, claiming that the men had a perfectly legitimate complaint and that every local body in New Zealand should point out to the Government the unsatisfactory state of affairs. In trenchant criticism of the board's action, Mr Harker stated that personally he believed the Government was forcing a revolution in the country by its actions towards the unemployed. On his resolution the following motion was carried unanimously: "This council voices its strong disapproval of the attitude of the Government in forcing men to do maintenance work at unemployed rates paid out of the unemployment funds, as by carrying on this policy the Government is depriving the men of the possibility of earning a livelihood." Councillor Glengarry further moved that the council should provide work for the men on strike, but this was withdrawn, it being most apparent that while taking no official action the matter of assisting the men to earn sustenance could be attended to by the works committee. CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN AUCKLAND

(PBESS ASSOCIATION TEWGJUM,) AUCKLAND, November 29. Convened by the Mayor of Auckland at the instigation of the Farmers' Union, a conference will be held tomorrow of representatives of many metropolitan local bodies and organisations to discuss unemployment. Among other questions to be considered are: Whether the present relief system is satisfactory, and, if not, what could take its place, whether trade union conditions should be restored and working hours reduced; whether all relief works should be abolished and sustenance payments substituted; whether support should be given to the demands for a Government enquiry into the monetary and credit system; and whether there should be national planning of industry.