CASES OF DISTRESS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 148, 19 December 1929, Page 8

CASES OF DISTRESS

UNEMPLOYED IN CHRIST-

CHURCH

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHUECH, This Day.

Unemployment is again causing some concern in Christchurch, and cases of aeuto distress through inability to obtain work are being brought to light daily. Tho outlook for Christmas for a,good number is decidedly cheerless. A deputation waited on the City Council, and the question of providing further relief was referred to the Finance Committee.

Yesterday the Mayor (the Eev. J. K. Archer) telegraphed to Sir Joseph "Ward asking if the Government would subsidise £1 for £1 up to £1000 any money voted by the council for the relief of the unemployed. The Prime Minister replied promising early consideration.

Subsequently tho chairman of the Finance Committee of the City Council (Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) stated that it had been decided to provide work for 200 men for one week. The men are to be married men with dependants and local men. They are to be selected by Mr. E. T. Bailey, the officer in charge of the Labour Department.

Mr. Sullivan said ' the council had done- its utmost in tho circumstances and all that tho present state of the finances would permit.

It is stated that there are many more men out of work than the figures at the Labour Bureau indicate.