Unemployment

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 242, 9 July 1931, Page 11

Unemployment

May I claim a small space in the columns of your valuable paper to draw attention to the conditions under which men employed under the No. 5 scheme have to work in this town. Firstly, married men are receiving 12/- a day, whereas the standard wage is 12/b. Secondly, the men have to pay fid. a day for being transported to work, which is between five and six miles from town. Therefore, single men are receiving 8/6 a day, and married men 11/6 a day, instead of, in the latter case, 12/6. Although it is only 1/- a day less, it is a considerable amount when a man has three or four mouths to feed.—l am, MAOFA j tL^Nß< Martinborough, Juns 26.

Sir,—ln to-day’s “Dominion” “Do Something" suggests the opening of military camps for the unemployed. He states: “This will eventually be an excellent thing for the future of the country, when the next war comes, and from indications throughout the world this is not 'far distant.” Now, Sir, let me quote the reply of the Minister of Railways (Mr. Veitch), when replying to. a returned soldiers’ deputation at Auckland. He stated: “The ex-soldiers had as much claim on the people to-day as when they enlisted.” In the retrechments in his own department, men with less service but with the necessary “pull” have had preference over returned soldiers. This being a fact, it shows Mr. Veitch’s statement is like the rest of the United Party’s promises. . , ■ . As a returned soldier and one of the unemployed, let me give readers some idea of what we have to put up with. The week before last I had three days work. Last week (Tuesday) I called at Buckle Street. ’ The window was closed, with a notice pasted up to the effect No work offering, please call to-morrow. I called the next day, and was told “No work till next week.” I called again on Monday of this week, to find the window closed. Upon making inquiries from the office I was told it would be open -on Tuesday. I was in the queue before 9.15 a.m. on Tuesday, and after waiting an hour and three-quarters, was told, “Townsend Road, Miramar, to-morrow week.” I asked what about this week, and the answer was, “No work this week,” Being a three-day man, I have earned 37/6 (not per week) for the month of June. _ . As the job is too big for the United Party, and as some of the statements of their Ministers are contrary to facts, it would show how “big” their leader is if he would hand over his job to one of the other party leaders —it could not be managed any worse than it is at present When the numbers go up .after the election I predict that the Uniteds will be found missing.—I am, etc., FACTS. Wellington, June 30.

Sir, —One of the causes of unemployment is that many people, out of greed and ' avarice, hold down more than one job, which should not be tolerated in these times. Employers should put a stop to the practice at once, preventing these selfish men from taking sustenance from another poor family. Government employees are the worst offenders in this respect, as, with their soft jobs, they are in a fit state to do other work either before or after their ordinary duty; the Railway Department, for instance, permits its members to discharge coal, also to clean, sheep and cattle trucks when there is so much casual labour available at every depot, and only too ‘anxious to pick up a few shillings when strfch work is offering.—l •ami, etc., „ „ „ “CASUAL WORKER” Wellington, July 2.