UNEMPLOYMENT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21284, 2 October 1934, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT

♦ MEETING OF LOCAL COMMITTEE NEED 1 OR BOOTS AND SHOES The problem of providing adequate footwear for the wives of relief workers and their children, was discussed at a meeting of the Christchureh Unemployment Committee yesterday morning. The meeting received a representative of the Canterbury Unemployed Workers' Association, who asked for support in the efforts of the association to secure the additional supplies of footwear. Both before the deputation was received and during the discussion which followed, several members of the committee spoke strongly in favour of the restoration of the 10 per cent, cut in the rates of pay for relief workers, and it was decided to write to tho Unemployment Board stating that the committee believed this was the best way in which to meet the situation. Mr C. H. Cole, for the deputation, said that the problem of securing footwear for the unemployed was becoming acute. Some provision had been made for the men. who worked an additional day for a pair of boots, but nothing had been done for the women and children. Ho knew of cases where children could not go out because of inadequate footwear. Some were even unable to attend school for the same ! reason. The association would like the I co-operation of the committee in ap- j preaching the Unemployment Board i Mr F. W. J. Belton asked if an in- ! dication could be given cf the cost of providing the footwear. Mr Cole said he did not think that costs had been investigated to thai extent. "Restoration Would TTelp" Mr G. Maginness asked if the restoration of the 10 per cent, cut in relief rates would enable the purchase of the necessary footwear. Mr Cole: It would help. Mr W. w. Scarff: You don't reckon it would be sufficient? Mr Cole: It would mean a verv small amount a week. The chairman (Cr. E. H. Andrews): Many of the members of the committee think that the restoration of the cut would be more satisfactory. Mr Cole: 7 think that 'the relief

workers would rather have the money to spend. After Mr Cole had withdrawn there was an almost unanimous opinion expressed in favour of advocating the restoration of the cut in relief pay, members stating that the additional money would easily' meet the yearly boot bill of the families concerned. It was decided to write to the Unemployment Board, advising the board about the deputation, and stating that the Christchurch committee considered that a restoration of the wages cut for relief workers would best meet the problem of providing them with supplies of footwear for their families. Families assisted by association SLIGHT INCREASE IN NUMBERS A report presented by the Metropolitan Relief Association to the Christchurch Unemployment Committee yesterday stated that the association had assisted 2276 families in the last week. The report dealt with the two weeks up to yesterday. For the first week of the fortnight 2271 families were dealt with, there were 22 new applications, 78 applications for renewal were reviewed and 10 applications were declined. For the second week the figures were: families dealt with, 2276; new applications, 17; applications renewed, 171; applications declined 11.