FINDING WORK FOR MEN

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1929, Page 13

FINDING WORK FOR MEN

NOT AN EASY THING TO DO

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHUKCH, This Day

"Can you give us any information as to how soon the railway work, promised b} r Sir Joseph Ward' is likely to be put in hand?" was one of tho questions asked of tho Minister of Public Works (tho H6n E. A. Ransom) yesterday by a deputation of Christchurch unemployed, headed by Mr. S. Pournier, Another question was, "How soon are we likely to be employed"

The leader of the deputation explained that they had only a very inadequate alternative in the rations of the Hospital Board. Men with two children received a ration worth 12s 6d. wholesale. . '

"We know the seriousness of the position. The unemployment problem is ono of the most vital of our tasks and wo are confronted with it in the whole of New Zealand," said the Minister. '' While we recognise that nothing ■is more disastrous to the country thaii to have a large number of men out of work, tho problem is not ono that is easily overcome. It is not desirable that any man should be employed at a wage under standard rates of pay, but wo have not yet been long enough in office to formulate all our plans. The main reason of my visit is to go into the question of tho continuance of the main trunk railway, but these are visionary things which will not appeal to, you straight away. lam confident^ however, that there will bo a considerable change in the near future. ' Thoro aro considerable funds available for development works in the .Dominion, and what we want to do is to inspire confidence in the people who have charge of (hose funds.

"I cannot offer you anything definite) straight away, but your case will receive- my sympathetic as well as very practical consideration. Do not get the idea that we are indifferent."