UNEMPLOYMENT JOBS

Evening Star, Issue 20311, 21 October 1929, Page 13

UNEMPLOYMENT JOBS

. JOURNAL’S COMPLAINT OF SECRECY [Special to thb ‘ Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, October 19. u Absolute silence is still maintained by all Government officials as to the measures that are being taken for the relief of unemployment. Though some of the works that are to bo put in hand arc of considerable public interest, not a crumb of information, apparent!}7, is to be vouchsafed to the public concerning not even the bare fact that the work is to be done, states to-night’s ‘ Sun.’ Th lß boycott of the Press, for that is wha_t it amounts to, has not been instituted by the officials concerned. The i übhc Works Department, the Department of Labour, and the State Forest Service have always been willing in the past to impart any information of public interest. It is obvious that these departments have received strict instructions not to divulge any information whatever concerning unemployment, this has led to a n extraordinary position, it was known that one of the works_ under consideration was the construction of a road from the Sign of the Kiwi to Mount Pleasant. This project was of considerable interest to every motorist in Christchurch It is now known for certain' that the work is to be done, and that it will be started almost immediately, but it is only known because Mr H. G Ell, who had presumably to bo consulted, released the information to the Press, Another important work that has been under consideration is the improvement of tho Glynn Wye road, which gives access to the West Coast. It has not been stated yet whether this work is to be done, but Mr F. Langbein (District Engineer ot Public Works) inspected the road yesterday, which seems to indicate that the authorities have decided to put the work in hand. This is a work that has been strongly supported by the Canterbury Progress League and the motoring organisations of Canterbury and the West Coast. The road is not used a great deal at present, and tho reconstruction of it will, if a decision has been made to form it into a good motor road, be an indication that the constniction of a highway over the Lewis Saddle, to which route this road gives access, may be undertaken in the not very distant future. Otherwise, surelj the reconstruction of th© (jlvnn Wye road would not be worth the expense involved.