UNEMPLOYED.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 270, 7 August 1908, Page 9

UNEMPLOYED.

| DEPARTMENTAL INVESTIGATION. I The Labour Department has been investigating, during 'the last few days, the signatures to tile potition of. the "unemployed,'': ivhich was lately presented-to the Prime Minister, with a view of ascertaining the real position as to unemployment, and offering work whero required.- The report, which has been drawn up, states that careful and complete inquiries had been made as to the bona fides of tho signatories to the petition. Two officers had been delegated to _ wait upon the secretaries of the various Unions in Wellington to ascertain if they could speak as to tho necessities of the men, how long they had been, in the country, and whence they came. Though many of tho names were unknown to Labour Union" officials, several of them belonged to local Unions, and were vouched'for as being really desirous of obtaining work. Tho carpenters 'and painters seemed to bo in the worst positions. There was considerable distress amongst thoso classes of tradesmen at the present time, although many of them had obtained employment since their names were attached to tho potition. Tho cooks and waiters who appeared on the list were quite unfitted for hard manual labour. Apparently the potition was signed in most cases oh persuasion. Tho men who seemed able and willing to work wero advised to call at tho offico of the Department and register. Several of tho men had been already .assisted to employment. Ovor a hundred signatories are reported on, and a" very great majority are stated to have work, or not to want work. A considerable number refused the work offered •them on ,railway construction. Several were .reported as. unfit for hard work.