PROBLEM OF THE WORKLESS

Evening Star, Issue 20194, 6 June 1929, Page 7

PROBLEM OF THE WORKLESS

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER GAN PLACE 5,000 MEN ON RAILWAYS AUCKLAND SLOW TO ACCEPT GOVERNMENT’S £25,009 [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, June 6. Urging that something bo clone to provide more employment for skilled and unskilled workers, a deputation representing thirty-two Labour unions waited on Sir Joseph Ward. _ Mr Savage, M.P , in introducing the deputation, said unemployment in Auckland was worse than for over twenty years. , , Other speakers stressed the urgency of providing employment for unskilled labour. . , - Sir Joseph said lie was anxious to do all in his power to help the unemployed. He had already authorised £140,000 of Government supplementary funds to subsidise work, and the offer of £25,000 to Auckland City Council still held good, but as far as he could judge no action bad been initiated to take advantage of the offer. Wellington and Christchurch had accepted assistance of that nature. The Government had provided a large amount of relief work—railway construction and other public works. There were more than two and a-iiall times as many men so employed in the North Island, as compared with ’the South Island. They were prepared to put 5,000 or G,OOO extra men on railway works. Ho would conlei with the mayor and City Council with a, view to their taking advantage ol his offer of £25,000 towards a scheme of new works. CHARITABLE RELIEF NATIONALISATION URGED A Hospital Board deputation interviewed Sir Joseph Ward and asked that charitable relief should be made national. , • , Mr Wallace (chairman) said the larger boards wore at a disadvantage, inasmuch as, while the smaller boards did not contribute to unemployment relief men from outside wore coming into the city and swelling the unemployed ranks there, they asked Joi special assistance financially to meet the strain on the larger boards. The Premier, m replying, said Uu--11 ament would have to be consulted before any revision of the system, the Government bad already granter £140,000 to public bodies to enable them to put men on special works. He was prepared to implement £-o,UUU for Auckland City Council. It the corporation was prepared to accept, 1 ;h. t money and provide suitable thought unemployment would bo lilted entirely from Auckland tvithin the next few months. Though bis own point of view was that the deputation had suggested something which could not be done, the request would recene careful consideration.