UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 117, 13 November 1931, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT

THE CHRISTMAS OUTLOOK

LITTLE CHANGE LIKELY

There does not seoni much likelihood of any improvement in the unemployment outlook by Christmas. Seasonal occupations, while they have absorbed a few of the city unemployed, have not made much real difference, because in many cases the same men do the rounds of the sequent occupations with the months, and are looked for annually. Strangers, especially those without full experience of the more skilled jobs, are not likely to be taken on in the country as shearers, etc. Quite a number of men who have gone into the country are returning to the city. Much of the success or otherwise in the quest of employment on farms depends on the seeker's usefulness to the farmer, quite apart from the question of willingness. Taken all in all, there has been little variation in the numbers actually on the books as eligible for work iv the city.

What has made the position a- littlo more-acute recently is the fact that many of the jobs being done under the No. 5 scheme are petering out. Work .at "the Victoria College, Technical College, and the Wellington Girls' College at Thorndon, and practically all the jobs found by the City Council, are either closing or on their last few days' work. With the uncertainty regarding the further duration of the No. 5 scheme, there is a disinclination on the part of local authorities, apart from the financial difficulties entailed in the payment of the cost of material and transport, to put fresh works at the disposal of the Labour Department. This is unfortunate, because every hour,lost in possible work affects a considerable number of men. There are at present 300 two-day men, 165 three-day men, and 25 four-day men eligible for work for whom jobs cannot be found. Those who have private work, and are still under the erroneous impression that the bulk of the unemployed are- being catered for by the Government, should immediately get in touch with the Unemployment Committee. How some of the current rumours originate it is hard to say. One which has gained ground, that a big job is forthcoming shortly that will absorb 1000 men, is quite without foundation.

Arrangements have been niado for tho closing down of all works under the No. 5 scheme for the week ending 2nd January. This does not mean that any work will be lost, but that tho one week off in three of all gangs will bo made to fall in that week, and that, instead of having to wait until after Christmas to draw their pay, payments will be made in each case before tho week off, which will cover the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The War Belief Association has given £1000 to be used in providing work for returned soldiers, and arrangements are being made to givo a day's work to married men and a half-day's work to single men. This will apply to tho Wellington, Petone, Lower Hutt, Eastboune, Johusonville, and Upper Hutt districts. The short term of the work thus made possible is explained by tho fact that there are 1500 unemployed returned men in Wellington alone.

It is desired to emphasise that the Mayor's relief depot will not close down, though rumours to that effect have gained ground. There is still a need for relief in the city. On Wednesday night the City Mission used 177 beds, tho largest number it has been necessary to erect so far.