CONCERN IN MANAWATU

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 14

CONCERN IN MANAWATU

(Special to "The Evening Post") PALMEBSTON N., This Day. As there are close on a thousand men working in the Manawatu under the 'No. 5 scheme, the announcement of its suspension has caused not only_ dismay among the workers, but considerable perturbation among local bodies. The Mayor of Palmerston North (Mr. A. E. Mansford) etated yesterdaly that one reason why he had not pressed for a reduction in city rates this year was because he had been concerned at the possibility of the No. 5 scheme breaking down as it had done. The matter of meeting the position which had now arisen was receiving urgent attention and full reports were being compiled of the money, men, and work available. An intimation was given by the Mayor that the matter would be fully discussed at the meeting of the Palmerston North Unemployment Committee on Monday morning, when a scheme for the absorption of the local unemployed would be submitted from the information now being collated. The Mayor made it clear, however, that such a step would not cost less than £500 per week for perhaps only one day's employment for each man each week,, and could not possibly continue indefinitely. Furthermore, the eominittee_ would probably have to draw up its own conditions of employment and limit work strictly to bona fide residents of the district. '