WORKLESS WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 168, 12 April 1932, Page 4

WORKLESS WOMEN

Unemployment Committee Meets RELIEF MEASURES The work of the Women’s Unemployment Committee is increasing rapidly, “ s was shown by reports presented at yesterday’s meeting of the committee. The Government has granted the committees up to £5O per week for the relief of unemployed women, and already, the Christchurch committee has expended over £7OO in payment of part wages and for work done. . The chief business of yesterdays meeting was to receive the report o Ue work centre, which was Presented bv Mrs. Line. A workroom was opened on March 15 in Boulcott Chambers, which has been kindly lent by Mr. J cciil Seven sewing machines have been lent Ind Mrs. Fear has kindly consented to keep these in order free of charge The Y.W.C.A. lent trestle tables’and chairs, and a competent woman has been secured as forewoman Care has been taken that work done shall not be such as would otherwise be paid for. Already a great deal oi mending has been done on behalf of the “Smith Family,’’ the Salvation Army, the Y.W.C.A., and the Presbyterian Orphanage, these organisations supplying the materials, while the workers are paid by the committee. Up to data 25 women have been employed, with 11 returns, the women being employed for 2i days per week. The room is open Mondays to Fridays fromlo am. to 12.30 p.m., and from 1 to 4.30 p.m. More women could be employed if more work were forthcoming, and Mrs. Line emphasised at the meeting that any charitable organisation could have its sewing done at the workroom if materials were supplied. Those engaged include expert machinists as well as women who can only do simple mending or darning. A number of boys’ shorts was made for the Salvation Army orphanage. Much gratification was expressed at the report and a hearty vote of thanks passed to the sub-committee and those who had lent articles for the room, also to Jlr. McGill and Mr. Fear for their generosity. Jlrs. Hunter, secretary, spoke of the scheme for subsidising domestic labour and so giving work to more women. She urged that members of the committee should send the names of people needing domestic help who could not afford full wages. Help would then be sent them and the wages they could afford to give would be subsidised by the committee. Any such names sent in by the committee by organisations in touch with families needing such help or'by medical meu will quickly receive the help required, at the same time giving employment to some women who Otherwise cannot get it. The shop report showed that the sum of £76/3/3 had been taken during the month of Jlarch, this money being paid out to those who bad made the goods sold. A letter was received from Dr. Begg asking the committee to appoint delegates to attend a meeting of all societies dealing with relief with a view to co-ordination. Jlrs. Forde, Jliss Kirk, and Colonel Swain were appointed delegates, and it. was resolved that they speak and vote along the lines of the resolution passed at the last meeting of the committee. The Mayoress, Jlrs. T. C. A. Hislop, presided at the meeting, and there were present: Colonel Swain, Jlesdames Hunter (honorary secretary), Forde, Preston, Suckling, Snow, Grant, J. N. Jlurray, Tythe Brown, Line, Fuller, Semple, Outhwaite, Misses A. Kane, C. E. Kirk, A. Kirk, E. Ward, G. Watson, Bridgeman and Nelson. Apologies were received from Dr. Ada Paterson, Jlesdames JlcVicar, Peryman and R. A, Wright.