UNEMPLOYMENT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21245, 17 August 1934, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT

TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL'S VIEWS DISCUSSION AT SPECIAL MEETING Unemployment was the subject of a special meeting of the Timaru Borough Council last night, Cr. H. J. Mathers presiding. Crs. W. H. Hall and P. C. Vinnell were appointed delegates to a conference of local organisations to be held on Monday night next to discuss unemployment. Cr. P. B. Foote suggested that the following works might be undertaken as public works:—(l) Airport at Otipua lagoon or elsewhere as decided; (2) drive round foreshore; (3) drive through scenic reserve; (4) harbour works: (5) work at hospital; (6) road formation work if the Rangitata traffic bridge proposal is adopted; (7) river protection; (8) irrigation. After a brief discussion it was decided to support proposals Nos. 1, 3, 2 and 6 in the older stated. The council then discussed unem- [ ployment as information for its delegate to the conference in Wellington on Wednesday. Cr. P. C. Vinnell moved: "That the present method of unemployment works only tends to perpetuate the evil and that as a first step and apart from any scheme that may be proposed for getting men back to their ordinary avocations this council urges the conference of local bodies to recommend to the Government that no work should be undertaken at Unenv ployed rates of pay, but that all work should be performed in the usual manner, either by contract or. if by local bodies themselves, at standard rates of pay, ana that any genuine unemployed should be paid sustenance on a scale commencing at any rate, at approximately the present unemployment scale of pay." In doing so he said that unfortunately unemployment was with us to stay and it was necessary to make a revaluation of the position. He had no time for loafers, but he held that it wai a duty to help men who were drifting. The motion was seconded by Cr.,A. G. Foster, but was lost. Abandonment of No. 5 Scheme Cr. Foote moved as an amendment: "That this council considers that relief work under the No. 5 scheme should be abandoned and that where work is not available at reasonable rates of pay sustenance should be allowed to those who cannot find work for themselves." i The amendment was also lost. The Mayor was appointed to go to Wellington as the delegate of the council Cr. Vinnell said it was the height of hypocrisy to send a delegate to the conference in the circumstances, and in view of the fact that the council evidently desired a change in the present system. TRIBUTE TO MR R. T. BAILEY SERVICES FOR LOCAL BODIES APPRECIATED Mr R. T. Bailey, officer in charge of the Labour Bureau in Christchurch, who has retired from the administration of unemployment in the city, has received letters from many local bodies expressing appreciation of his services. The following letter was received from the clerk of the Sumner Borough Council, Mr J. F. Menzies: — "I have been directed by the council to convey to you its most sincere thanks for the assistance and the consideration given to all our requirements since the inception of the U5 schemes. May I add my own personal appreciation of;the worthy effort you have made to make a success of your onerous duties. You have played a man's part, and your decisions, when rulings were sought, have always been sympathetic and reasonable. Your readiness to discuss unemployment matters at all hours, even to someone calling at your home on a Sunday when, on one occasion, an urgent decision was necessary, marked you as a humane, earnest man, and a loyal officer; and as such, you are appreciated. I sincerely trust that you will enjoy the spell from the exacting duties which you have carried out with such conspicuous success, and meet with even greater success in your legitimate field of service." SUBSCRIPTION TO MAYOR'S FUND The Editor of "The Press" acknowledges the receipt of £lO from "Tao" for the Mayor's Relief Fund.