UNEMPLOYMENT BUREAU.

Evening Star, Issue 20592, 18 September 1930, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT BUREAU.

TO THB EDITOR. Sir, —I -would like to inquire into tho methods employed by the officials of the Government Labour Department in the distribution of work to those Avho, like myself, aro_ out of employment. i am a married man with a Avifo and two children, and tho last ticket for two and a-half days’ work was received by me just two weeks ago. That means the sum of 35s to keep four people for two Aveeks. On being asked by the official in charge when I received my last ticket I told him, and Avas informed that I Avould have to wait a few days.before I could receive another. Hoav I am going to pay the rent and live in the meantime I am at a loss to know, and it is of no use trying to explain to the official, because he is not interested. 1 was speaking to an acquaintance who lias been out for eight months, and ho told me that in that period he has received three days’ work. 1 knoAv myself that some men can go up every week and get a ticket without any trouble at all. Some of these men are single, Avithout responsibilities, and there are also elderly married men who have no young families, and who are in fairly conifortablo circumstances, Avho have had work given to them regularly, while young married men with young children have to Avait from tAvo to three weeks and sometimes longer before receiving Avork, and then they only receive from two to three days. _ In some cases a man with one child will receive three days, Avhereus a man Avith tAvo children gets only two and a-half days. Tho object of my letter is to point out the lack of system in allocating the Avork. In conclusion, I Avould suggest without casting any reflection, that an older and more experienced official be placed in charge of the office.—l am, etc., Worker. September 16. [The complaint refers to tho distribution of hospital relief employment, undertaken by the Labour Department for the Hospital Board. A representative of the ‘ Star ’ has investigated the system folloAved. and is convinced that every precaution is taken to avoid the inequalities complained of. Relief _is carefully regulated in accordance with dependents, but demand exceeds so much the amount of Avork available that relief employment can only bo doled out. Jobs under the Public Works Department are more lasting, but these can only bo given as vacancies occur. The distribution is governed by an elaborate card system, by Avhicli the claims and circumstances of applicants nro recorded, and there is no time for the discussion of special pleas while the queue is Availing, though these may be heard at less busy hours. The official in charge of the distribution has had three years’ experience of such work in tho department’s Dunedin office, and is therefore in the best position to control it.—Ed. E.S.]