THE UNEMPLOYED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 228, 27 June 1928, Page 10

THE UNEMPLOYED

NO RELIEF WORK UNLESS ENROLLED

The number of unemployed in Wellington remains fairly constant, although the Labour Department has been busy during the last two weeks and a number of men have been placed on relief works. A circular has just been sent to those authorities and organisations dealing with the unemployed, calling attention to the fact that unemployed desiring to be engaged on relief works must register at the Department’s bureau at Te Ard Post Office before they can be placed on such work; also that if, after their names have been on the books for a fortnight, they are not renewed, then they are automatically removed. There are many who do register, but because they do not get work immediately do not renew their registration, whereas if they did so the probability is that within the second fortnight they would get relief work. It was definitely stated to a “Dominion” representative yesterday that in regard to both municipal and Government relief works men can only be engaged through the Labour Bureau, and they must first be registered, as neither the City Council por the Government can be aware of the true position unless this condition is complied with. At present there are no vacancies on Government relief works, but the relief works under the City Council are being steadily developed. It is expected that at the next meeting of the Qity Council authority will be given for the raising of further sums for this purpose. So far this winter unemployed have been sent to public works and forestry operations at Nelson, and public works (road making, etc.) at Kaitoke and Waikanae, but these works are at present fully staffed.