UNEMPLOYMENT

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 307, 23 September 1926, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

SAID TO BE AS ACUTE AS EVER “Unemployment is as bad to-day as it bas been at any time during the year,” said Councillor R. McKcen at j’esterday’s meeting of the council. “Has Your Worship any statement to make on the matter?” The Mayor said that from information received unemployment was still more or less acute in Wellington; sufficiently so to give the council some concern. They might have to call the special committee together again and talk the matter over. They were still going on under the unemployment loan, and would be able to put another 25 men on this morning. Councillor Aston: Light or heavy work ?

The Mayor: "Heavy; that is the best we can do at present economically.” They were doing their best. He would further consult with the Government to see whether they could relieve the position. There seemed to be another wave of unemployment, more or less severe, in the country He anticipated being able to employ more men later, but no more than 25 could be employed this week. They had almost got to the end of their tether, and everything had to be done with discretion. The money had to be absorbed on capital works. Councillor W. J. Thompson suggested gorse-grubbing as a means of employment. Lhe Mayor: “There is no difficulty in finding work. The difficulty is to find the monev.” Under an arrangement with the other people (the Charitable Aid Board) the employment of B men was onlv for a certain class of work. He was’ afraid that gorse-grubbing could not be regarded as a capital work. Councillor McKeen: How much of the loan is left ? The Mavor: About £4000!”