HAPPINESS TO SOME

Evening Star, Issue 19320, 5 August 1926, Page 4

HAPPINESS TO SOME

WORK GIVEN T 9 UNEMPLOYED REGISTRATION STILL INCREASING. In the darkest cloud there is always a silver lining, and forty-four men in Dunedin have seen it. To-day, there was happiness in the homes of those men, and after a long spell of idleness and frugality compelled by tho stringency of unemployment they have boon placed in work. Still, others are seeking for work, and, although forty-four men have been found employment, another twenty-four have registered since 11 a.m. yesterday. Tho roll at the Labor Department’s office now totals 237 names.

A call for labor was made at tho Town Hall this morning, married and single men who had been out of work for a long time being given preference. For work on tho Logan Park rifle range excavations, preparatory to the road formation, twenty-one men have been placed altogether, including six single men. Twelve men, including three single men, were sent to the Forhury road job, and one single man was placed on gorso grubbing for the corporation. Private employment was found for four men.

The unemployment situation by this absorption of labor is a little brighter, as tho Logan Park work will give employment for several weeks.

Tho tradesmen are registering now. For the past two months tho registers have been comparatively free of the names of artisans, and the enrolments now are not encouraging.

Hardship compelled sonic action to be taken in placing single men. In most of the jobs, preference has naturally been given to the men with families, but some of the single men have dependents, and as many are living away from their homes, tho long period of idleness has placed them “on the rocks.” To-day’s employment of the single men was the first move to_ decrease the numbers of unemployed single men in bulk.

Dipping into ihe future, some of tho more youthful unemployed have_ seen the distress which might be their lot if they continue to be among the laborers. Through the Unemployment Committee, one lad was placed as an apprentice, and another youth, aged seventeen years, has asked the committee to secure for him an apprenticeship in an engineering shop. Mrs Inglis, who is working in the interests of the unemployed at the Sailors’ Rest, reports that a number of unemployed seamen are still to he found nt the rest each day. Last, week three men, being experienced rope splicers, found work at tho Exhibition buildings. There are now nine making use of the rest and being provided with lunch. Clothing, which is much needed, lias been distributed among the men, who are very grateful. The workers still appreciate any assistance or donations.