RUSH TO REGISTER

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 8, 4 October 1929, Page 6

RUSH TO REGISTER

WELLINGTON’S UNEMPLOYED

NOTIFICATIONS MORE THAN DOUBLED

Since the announcement made by the Government on Wednesday that all unemployed would have to register before benefiting under the relief scheme, there has been a phenomenal rush to register at the Wellington Bureau. In two days, Wednesday and Thursday, the actual city figures jumped from 274 to 588, an increase of over 100 per cent. The officials in the Registry Office have found it very difficult to cope with the additional work, and it is difficult to say how many more registrations will be forthcoming. CHRISTCHURCH BUSY Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, October 3. Hundreds of men are acting on the advice of the Prime Minister that if they are seeking work they should register at the Government Labour Bureau. With prospects of regular employment within five weeks, based on the promise given by the highest authority in the country, 438 men handed in their names to-day. Before the Prime Minister made his announcement the dally average was about SO. Of to-day’s quota, 119 had never registered before. Of the new men, 44 were married and 75 single. On Wednesday the applications for work totalled 99, which was the next highest total since last week. The men in the Department’s books now total 818. Registrations are coming in so fast that Mr. E. G. Queree, who is in charge of the Unemployment Bureau, now has two assistants. Mr. Mcßride, who is a member of the special Unemployment Committee set up in Wellington, on which there are several Government nominees, spent several days in Christchurch recently interviewing men who had been out of work for a long time. He has now gone to Dunedin. A questionnaire is submitted to each applicant, and he supplied more information than is given on the ordinary form of the Labour Department.

DUNEDIN FIGURES

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Dunedin, October 3,

Applications for employment received by the Labour Department’s Dunedin bureau on Wednesday totalled 148 and 379 names now appear on the register. All of these have enrolled during the last fortnight and of the number 150 are without dependants. RED CROSS COMMITTEE A number of cases of hardship in Wellington is reported by the Red Cross Unemployment Relief Committee. Several cases, it is stated, _ had been referred by members of Parliament to the committee to deal with. For some of those the committee had been able to find light work of a temporary nature, in addition to giving clothing where needed, and board and lodgings in cases of urgency. A deserving case of a man aged 63, discharged from hospital after a serous operation for cancer of the mouth, had presented himself. Application had been made late in the afternoon, which had precluded the man from seeing the Social Welfare Officer at the hospital on that day. He was in need of foodstuff for a light diet, coal, and underclothing. The man had lost his son on Gallipoli. Orders were given, and needs of the ease immediately met. A letter was also given to the man to present to the Social Welfare Committee.

Another case was of a man with a wife and seven children. The man had served in the South African War. He was- behind in his rent and gas bill. By arrangement with the South African Veterans’ Association it was resolved that that body and the society defray the cost of the lighting account, overdue to the extent of over £4. The Gas Company had been interviewed, and on hearing the facts of the case had reinstated the discount. Tlie wife and children were also in need of clothes, and tlie man was requested to see the superintendent of the Ladies’ Red Cross Auxiliary. Another case of, a married man,who, apart from being unemployed, had experienced a great deal of sickness with his wife and family, came before the committee. He was in need of boots and clothes for his little boy. Orders for these were given and goods obtained,the warehouses m each case extending special terms. Letters were given him to various firms, ana members of the committee undertook to p. sonally approach likely quarters of employment. Tlie man is of good address, and is seeking a position as storeman.

During tlie severe weather several cases presented themselves for temporary relief in the form of a night’s lodgings.. Those requests had been complied with. Iwo cases from Eastbourne had written appealing for assistance, and the letters had been referred to the Eastbourne branch of tlie Red Cross Society to report upon. Six cases which had come before the committee asking for help in the way of clothing had interviewed the Ladies’' Auxiliary and their needs had been met. Through the kindness of the Wellington Girls’ College Junior Red Cross Circle, twelve dozen eggs had been sent in. These had been distributed among cases needing light diet. .Ten new cases had presented themselves for interview, and the committee would do all in its power to meet their needs. Vacancies are sought for labourers, cook and baker, bookkeeper and storeman, steward, body finisher, printer, and lorry driver. The committee will be glad to hear from anyone seeking the services of any of the above.