MEN OUT OF WORK

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 300, 13 September 1921, Page 6

MEN OUT OF WORK

THEIR VOCATIONS ASCERTAINED JOBS FOR FIVE HUNDRED WANTED A statement regarding the unemployjnent situation in Wellington was made by Mr. G. Mitchell, M.P., chairman of the executive of the Civic League, yesterday morning. Mr. Mitchell stated that, after consultation with, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.), and. after going very carefully into the matter, it was estimated that it would be necessary to provide relief work for anything up to 500 men for from six to eight weeks. It was hoped by that time that the position' would have eased, by ■usual employment in the country opening up, and at various other works. The following were the actual numbers seeking work through the Labour Bureau (the letter "H” represents, those fit for heavy work, and the letter L those fit for light work): — Labourers (H) 224 Labourers (L) " Farm hands (H) •• 16 Carpenters (H) ? Gardeners (H) 3 Gardeners (L) , 3 Cook-Stewards (H) 18 Ccok-Stewards (L) 1 Clerks (H) •/ 3 Clerks (L) * .Storemen (H) 1® Storemen (L) • — 3 Boot trade (H) ‘ Fitteta and turners (H) " ■ Drivers—Horse and motors (H) ... 19 Marine officer (H) 1 Leather bag maker 1 Painters (H) “ Cabinetmakers (H) 3 Bakers (H) 3 Bricklayers (H) .' 1 Electro workers (H) •••• A Enginedrivers (H) 3 Butchers (H) , 3 , I, Coppersmith (H) 1 Printers (H) ••••• A Brass finishers (H) , . 1 Peddlers (H) 1 Plumbers (H) ~.■ 1 Blacksmiths (H) 3 Totals (H) 338 (II) I 9 ■Repatriation Department 170 Grand total 325 The duplications, stated Mr. Mitchell, were estimated' at from 20 to 50, and it ■was agreed that tlie latter figure was tho limit. "Of all men," ho proceeded, "who called at my office seeking work this morning, eight were registered at the Labour Bureau or Repatriation Department, and three were not registered anywhere. There are others who never register, and some who do not want work. Others will hang on for a day’s casual work on the wharf or elsewhere. We are of opinion, therefore, that 500 is the limit for whom we will be called upon to offer work. In any case it is our duty to offer them work. "The following are the particulars of some of the men who called this morn-, ing:— ' ‘ J.S.—Labourer. ' Wife and three children. Out of work for three M.b'— Labourer. Wife and* two children. Last job on City Council relief works. . J.W.—Wife and two children. Two weeks out. . R.D. —Labourer. Married. Out of work for eight weeks. J.E.R.—Married, two children. Out of work for five weeks. H.S.—Wife and seven children. Out of work for nine weeks; a bad case. F.M. —Wife and four children. Out of work for some time. "In reply to our request for people to Jiave their little jobs done now, five men, ■ with families, were placed this morning. All subscriptions should be sent to me, ' cars of Dominion Farmers’ Institute, Featherston Street.” , A meeting of all those prepared to help in next Friday's appeal is to take place in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, to-night,’ when sympathisers are invited. His Worship the Mayor will i preside.