UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20995, 8 January 1932, Page 12

UNEMPLOYMENT

+ WORK PETERING OUT LOCAL BODY CONFERENCE URGED [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 7. Increasing concern is felt by Auckland local bodies regarding unemployment prsopects. Mr J. A. C. Allum, chairman of the Transport Board, which in the past has given much relief in the matter of employment, said today that the possibility of continuing work under scheme 5 was becoming less owing to the absence of reasonably necessary works and the financial position of local bodies. However great the local bodies’ desire to provide work, the fact was that work was rapidly coming to an end. Mr Allum pointed out that the public facilities existing in the city were already far ahead of requirements. Mr Allum urges that a conference of local bodies be held to consider means of providing work in the winter. WORKERS' MOVEMENT A meeting of the Unemployed _ Workers' Movement was held last night in the Y.W.O.A. Hall before a large attendance. Mr W. Ballantyne. who occupied the chair, gave a short account of the business done since the last meeting. The secretary (Mr F. O’Rorke) read out the balance-sheet showing the financial statement of the movement. This was adopted. Correspondence was read from the national secretary, Unemployment Workers’ Movement, Wellington, the Chamber of Commerce, the Education Board (Mr G. A. Lewin (secretary of the local Unemployment Committee), and Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition). The letters were received. A resolution was carried to the effect that a branch of the Women’s Unemployment Movement be opened. Mr Mathieson gave a report on a demonstration. Messrs Ballantyne and Braithwaite gave reports on a deputation to the Hospital Board. Mr E. J. Clark and Mr M'Murray tendered a report on a meeting of the local Unemployment Committee. A deputation was appointed to meet the Unemployment Committee to deal with complaints from groups and various other matters concerning the unemployed workers. It was agreed to hold meetings in the Queen’s Gardens every Friday night and also on Sunday afternoons. REDUCED RELIEF WORK NO GENERAL INSTRUCTION, [Special to the * Star.’] WELLINGTON, January 8. Inquiries of the Unemployment Board officials fail to substantiate the report of the local Unemployment Committee that a general instruction has been given to reduce relief work to single men to one day weekly, and to cease this after February 13. The hoard is still under straitened finance, and, anticipating additional seasonal employment, recently made a percentage reduction in its allocations to district committees. Otherwise it is proceeding on the former lines.