Relief work in Chch

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32860, 8 March 1972, Page 3

Relief work in Chch

.Veit’ Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 7. Worth-while jobs of economic value are to be made available to unemployed men in the Christchurch district.

The Minister of Labour (Mr Thomson) said the em- | ployment situation in Christchurch had been of j considerable concern. For several weeks the num-'' ber of unemployed had been;' the highest in the country, and the rate of unemploy-j ment was well above the rate! in the other main centres. “Special attention is being also given to the position in other areas where the level of unemployment is above average,” he said. “Government departments have been asked to review their programmes of activity and to! report what additional work; suitable for persons currently unemployed can be made! available.” Drop expected Mr Thomson said it was expected there would be a further significant drop in unemployment when the men

[were allocated to the jobsj l being provided for them. I “It must be appreciated,; [however, that it is not always, -possible to provide jobs in iall the places where people! [are unemployed. • “The Government has al[ways believed it is better for' [the unemployed to be gainfully employed than to be paid unemployment benefit,’’ he said.