MINISTER SYMPATHETIC

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 8, 5 October 1926, Page 8

MINISTER SYMPATHETIC

MR. WILLIAMS HOPES TO SOLVE PROBLEM

Dominion Speciai.

Auckland, October 4

The undue amount of unemployment in Auckland was represented to_ the Minister of Public Works (Hon. K. S. Williams) by a deputation consisting of Auckland Labour members of Parliament and union secretaries. The Minister expressed his deep interest in the sjtuation and his desire to do all possible to prevent a recurrence. He stated that he was prepared to give the speakers all the time they required to state their views. After the members had stated their case the Minister said that he viewed the situation with a great deal of sympathy and was anxious to do what he could to help. His Department had tried to meet., the position, but they had a diriv to their own regular employees. If they spent part of their vote on relief works in any one locality, it might mean that men in another part of the country would suffer. He accepted the offer of the Labour men to supply detailed information as to the position in various industries, and said that be was hopeful of getting to the bottom of the problem. He also promised to look into the question of carrying out naval repairs and overhauls in New Zealand, and said that be would take up the matter of railway buddings with the Minister of Railways. In conclusion, the Minister said that he was desirous of probing the problem and seeking a solution. He did not want to see men walking about if rt was possible to find work for them to do.