SEARCH FOR WORK

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 50, 22 November 1930, Page 12

SEARCH FOR WORK

Appeal to Government UNEMPLOYED DISTRESS The unfortunate position in which large numbers of men found themselves through unemployment’ was emphasised by speakers at a deputation numbering about 250 which waited upon three Ministers of the Crown at Parliament House yesterday. Favourable comment was made by the Ministers upon the attitude of the deputation, which expressed its willingness to assist the Government to meet the position, and a committee of six is to be appointed from the men with the probable inclusion of the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, to confer with members of Cabinet on Monday afternoon. Representations for increased action on the part of the Government to cope with the immediate problem were to have been made to the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon. E. A. Ransom, but in his absence owing to illness the deputation was received by Sir Apirana Ngata, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, and the Hon. A. J. Murdoch. Local Labour members of Parliament were present, the deputation being introduced by Mr. R. Semple. Mr. Semple said the deputation officially represented the Trades and Labour Council, and its purpose was to emphasise the need for urgent action in dealing with the problem. They were quite aware that it was not merelv local, and the magnitude of the Government’s task was fully appreciated. They had no desire to embarrass the Government in any way; the deputation merely wished to urge upon it the need for more action. About 1500 were out of work in Wellington, and the position had long been acute. There were scores of destitute families in the city, and their plight was all the more tragic in view of the approach of Christmas.

One of the most unfortunate points was that boys leaving school were unable to find work; the door of opportunity had been slammed in their faces. This was one of the real tragedies of the situation. The deputation desired to express its views in a rational way. It believed the Government should be in the forefront in dealing with the position, and it had confidence in that institution as a constitutional machine by which things could be righted. Causes of the Increase.

Mr. W. Bromley, president of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, said it was notable that in spite of the fact that summer was approaching, unemployment registrations were rising. Two factors were contributing to this increase. One was the termination of a number of relief works, and the other was the revealing of a blind faith in the Unemployment Act and the board that had been set up under it. Employers and local bodies were assuming that their responsibilities had ceased now that the board had been set up. The success of the Act would undoubtedly depend upon the board receiving the fullest co-operation of every employer. State official, and trade union official. These latter would be prepared to help even if only for the reason that they were removed from the danger of unemployment by the contributions of unionists when they were in work. Although he said he recognised that the City Council had done more for the unemployed in Wellington than any other local body, Mr. Bromley urged the Government to appeal to the council to do more than it was doing at the moment. He asked that the Government should also appeal to business men throughout the country, and in Wellington in particular. If an effort were made by all who could employ labour, there was no reason why every man in the room should not bp provided for over Christmas. Mr. F. D. Cornwell, secretary of the council, suggested that the £lOO,OOO voted to enable the Unemployment Board to commence operations should be applied to the giving of relief in conjunction with the hospital and charitable aid boards. An opportunity was presented of doing much good for a large number before Christmas. "Exceptional Treatment.” Mr. T. Brindle, a member of the executive of the New Zealand Labour Party, recalled that during the 1918 epidemic the Government voted money to relieve distress, and similar assistance was urgently needed at present. Thousands of men were proving an economic waste on the country. It was realised the Government had done much, but even more action was sought. The exceptional circumstances demanded exceptional treatment. Men willing to work were not able to do so, and it was hoped urgent action would be taken. Mr. J. Parkinson, representing the unemployed, said he was one who had been turned out of his home because he could not afford to keep it going. Many more in the room were in the same position. Men were going home at night with the children crying for bread. “We have not come here to dictate to the Government, he said. “We have come here to make an appeal, not for a loan or charity, but for the right to work.” He added that 6QI men had passed through the labour exchange in the city that morning, and only one man had found a job, which lasted an hour and a half. Most Difficult Problem. Sir Apirana Ngata said he would offer no excuses. It was recognised that the problem of unemployment was the most difficult facing the Government at present. It was doing its best to grapple with it, but it had to be recognised that the question of adequate finance was an ever-present one. There were lOo< officially registered as unemployed in Wellington. He had that moment received a note from the Mayor, who said the City Council bad £27.000 which would be available for expenditure shortly on the Sydney Street deviation, and the Raroa Road work. There were other small works which the council hoped to put in hand shortly. Consideration was also to be given to a proposal to make a collection for unemployment in the hope that any amount collected wofild receive tlie Government subsidy. , Work on the Land. w The proposal to spend the £lOO,000 voted to the Unemployment Board for immediate relief _ would have to be investigated, and it would first have to be ascertained whether the money could legally be diverted from its purpose. It was suggested by Sir Apirana that the deputation should appoint a small committee to meet the Government on Monday. The time had gone when platitudes could be spoken. He would like to see a representative of- the City Council present, preferably the Mayor. It was hoped by the Government to be able to announce in a few weeks the taking-over of certain properties, upon which a number of men- —not necessarily those out of work at present—could be absorbed. It would not be possible to absorb many on the land before Christmas, but it was hoped to do more after that. Mr. Taverner said his department was at present employing 17,000 men, which, with all charges, represented a daily cost of £17,000 to the State. The Government was not easing up in its efforts, in fact it was hoped to double them. Many schemes were being considered, and a noticeable and permanent improvement in the position was confidently expected within a few months. As far as immediate relief was concerned, the Minister said he had arranged that morning to provide work for 200 men at Nelson and Stratford for from four td six months. Since April 1 the Public Works Department had put on 1444 men, and the City Council 414, and the council was at present employing 307 men for relief purposes. The suggestion

had been made that work should be started on the new railway station, but it would be a long time before that work could start, even if the department could finance it.

In thanking the Ministers for their attitude of helpfulness, and the deputation for its creditable display of orderliness and appreciation of what was being done, Mr. Semple said they all recognised the magnitude of the problem, and they knew wonders could not be done in a day. All they asked was that the seriousness of the position should receive the attention it deserved, and that action should not be delayed.