REQUEST FOR WORK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 40, 15 August 1930, Page 10

REQUEST FOR WORK

THE UNEMPLOYED

"DISAPPOINTING REPLY"

EELIEF FOE 200 MEN

About 200 unemployed interviewed the Prime Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) and the Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Kansom) today, and requested that they should bo provided -with immediate employment. It was stated that there were now nearly 1000 men registered at the unemployment bureau in Wellington, and that tho position was becoming rapidly, worse. In his reply, the Prime Minister undertook to provide work for 200 men during the next two weeks —100 in the Wellington district and 100 in the Nelson district. Members of the deputation expressed keen disappointment with the reply, and urged that the provisions of the Unemployment Bill should be put into immediate ■ effect. Mr. Forbes said that it would be very difficult to do that, as the Bill was breaking new ground and would re-

quire thorough investigation.

Mr. E. Semple, M.P., introduced the deputation, the purpose of which was to stress the need for Governmental action as soon as possible. The position in Wellington to-day was worse, he said, than it had ever been before, and was a tragedy more than a problem.' The members of the deputation wanted to disassociate themselves from any unseemly conduct that might have occurred; all they wanted was work and not charity. There were many families in Wellington which were completely destitute. They asked the Government to explore every possible avenue of employment.

OVER 900 UNEMPLOYED IN CITY.

Mr. "VV. Bromley, president of tho Trades and Labour Council, said the duty he had to perform was the most serious that had ever fallen to his lot. In Wellington they had a higher number of men seeking work ' than there had ever been in the history of the city. The number had climbed to over 900> and for the post three weeks not one job had been" given. "In fact, men were being put off w6rk not only in the city, but iii the country districts as well. The Prime Minister was warranted in going to the Conference, but before he stepped on the, boat there would probably be 1000 registered unemployed in Wellington. Some provision would have to be mfede for" the men before the Prime Minister left. There were men in the room at thfe moment who would have no food to-day. Mir. Bromley said no matter-what the Wellington City Council had done in the past, he had no hesitation in saying that at present the council was acting in a most callous fashion. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor had stated that he was waiting to see what happened to the Unemployment Bill, but no man in Mr. Troup's position had a right to make such a statement. "I think lean anticipate what the reply of the Prime Minister is going to be, "said Mi\ Bromley.

Mr. Forbes: "I think you had better wait." .

Mr. Bromloy said they did not want to hear what the Government had done, although they gave Mr. Forbes all credit for what had been done. During the war no difficulty had been.experienced in getting money, to "..save the homes of the people from the enemy but to-day the problem was just as great. The homes of many of the people were in danger; in fact, many of them had gone. Mr. Bromley 'suggested that before Mr. Forbes left for London he should pass the Unemployment Bill and put it into immediate operation without waiting for the to contribute. .„.,,./

Mr. H. Parkinson, a representative of the unemployed, said .that in the last six weeks he had had £4 2s sd. His cupboard was absolutely bare at present. What they wanted was immediate work —to-day if possible. ' The Mayor of Wellington had stated definitely that he would, not put any work on for three months. . ." RELUCTANT TO- GO TQ : ENGLAND. =.. [ The. Prime . Minister .said ;'the ' fact that a serious unemployment .problem existed made him very reluctant about going to the Imperial Conference. He resented any suggestion that he did not take the unemployment problem seriously. It had to be remembered that there was a limited amount of money that could be expended oh public works. While the Government had clone everything possible,'there Svas a responsibility on the men as well. A number of complaints had been made regarding the conduct of men on jobs in the country districts', and the men responsible for that conduct should realise that they had responsibilities as well. If they did not do that, they would very 'soon lose the sympathy of tho public. Mr. P. Fraser, M.P.: "You wouldn't suggest that there are a great number of cases."

Mr. Forbes said he was not making any reflection on the great body of the unemployed.

Mr. W. E. Parry,' M.P.: "Thoy haven't been drinking champagne."

Mr. Forbes: "I am not suggesting anything like that, but your speakers talk plainly and I have a perfect right to talk plainly as well." So far as the finding of work was ' concerned, there was always a difficulty in put-1 ting on rush jobs owing to the lack of accommodation and so on, but he was prepared to offer employment for 200 men—loo in the Wellington district, and 100 in the Nelson district. He would be able to place 100 men during, tho next week. , . THE UNEMPLOYMENT BILL. Regarding tho Unemployment Bill, Mr. Forbes said it had to be remembered that he did not represent a majority in the House. Tho measure was breaking new ground, and it had to be thoroughly tested and investigated to see if it were workable or not. The feature of the Bill was not sustenance, but work. • . | Mr. Bromley: "That will do these men." ■ Mr. Forbes said a body of men had

Mr. Bromley: "That will do these men."

Mr. Forbes said a body of men had endeavoured to see him earlier in the week, but they had not used constitutional means of seeking an interview. What they should .have done was to have approached local members of Parliament, who were more vigilant than any that ho knew. Ho had been particularly busy during the week with other deputations, and it had been impossible for him to see them.

A voice: "If there was another war you would soon find the necessary

money."

Mr. Forbes: "We don't want any more wars. The last was very largely the cause of our present trouble." Although he was leaving for the Imperial Conference, that did not mean that the unemployment problem would be neglected. Tho Minister of Lands, who was also chairman of the Cabinet Unomployment Committee, would be in charge during his absence, and lie was well acquainted with the needs of the situation. It had to be remembered that unemployment was not solely tho responsibility of the Government; local bodies and citizens had a duty to perform as well.

My. Bromley said he was very disappoint »d •with tho reply of the Prime

Minister. It was all very well to supply work for 200 men, but they wanted to'know what was going to happen to the other 800. tvi,- Komnin in .tli.i.nkinir Mr.'Forbes

Mi-. Semplo, in thanking Mr.'Forbes for the time he had devoted to the deputation, said there was- -little• 'Mpe to be derived from the Prime Minister's reply. Before Mr. Forbes left for London, parliament should at least make some contribution to tho solution of tho problem. They would not mini sitting up night after night if-they; could only do something to relievo'-th» position. : ' . -.; ' : •-'■