UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21012, 28 January 1932, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

RECLAMATION OF BLUESKIH BAY PRODUCTIVE WORK URGED Mr A. E. Anscll, M.P., visited Wellington a few days ago to discuss with tho Right Hon. J. G. Coates the matter of unemployment in Otago, and to urge thaj; certain works of a productive nature be undertaken, one of which is the reclamation of Blueskin Bay. Mr Ansell has now received word that the survey has been completed, , that the engineer’s report has been forI warded to headquarters, and that Mr. F, Furkert (chief engineer) will visit Dunedin on Monday next in order to make an inspection of the proposed work. It is understood that the engineering report is of a favourable nature, and that approximately 1,000 acres can be reclaimed, leaving 600 acres for waterways, RELIEF OF DISTRESS HOSPITAL BOARD'S POSITION The Benevolent Committee of the Otago Hospital Board will report to the board meeting this evening that intimation has been received from the Hospital Boards’ Associaton of New ! Zealand that the Minister of Unemployment (tho Hon. J. G. Coates), in urging the hospital boards to bridge the gap for the next six weeks pending tho approval by Cabinet of the new proposals of the Unemployment Boal-d which are being framed, gave an indication that the question of easing hospital boards of the burden of unemployment relief is being fully considered. The report goes on to say that the emergency office in Dowling street is to be continued under the present organisation for relief by granting assistance/in the “ stand-down ” week ! to those men on unemployment relief on tho following scale:-—Single men, 7s 6d; iman, wife, and child, 10s; man, wife, land two children, 12s 6d; man, wife, and three children, 15s; man, wife, and I four or five children, 17s 6d; man, wife, I and six children, 20s per week. Any 'other assistance required is to be dealt I with in the usual way by the relief officer at the board’s office. Mrs Macdonald lias offered to continue in charge at this emergency office under the pre--1 sent system. It is to be distinctly understood that the board adheres to its policy that relief was not to be granted to those unemployed working under the No. 5 scheme, but in view of tho reply to the Hospital Boards’ Association, the above measures taken are to be considered as emergent, the board still considering that the relief of distress caused by unemployment is a national matter and not one for which hospital boards should be responsible. Up to and including January 20, 1,309 warrants for food were issued at the Dowling street office, at a cost of £7ll 4s Id. CITIZENS'RELIEF DEPOT Another busy day was experienced yesterday at the Citizens’ Relief Depot, wel! over 300 applicants being supplied : with their weekly reliefs. Supplies were adequate, with the exception cf meat, the last forty having to go slort of this commodity. A brief estimate ot the anticipated requirements for Friday’s distribution will, peihaps, give citizens , a somewhat startling idea of the work required of the’ depot:—Meat, 2,0001 b; potatoes; one ton; butter, 2001 b; tea, 1501 b; sigar, 5001 b; bread, 300 loaves; oatmeal, 4001 b; flour, 4001 b. An uigent appeal is made for donations for this huge week-end distributior of relief. The depot has some financial: resources, but it will be easily realised That they can only be supplementlry to the generosity of the ! citizens.! The Allowing donations are gratefully aclnowledgedJ. G. P., £2 2s; E. R. B £2 2s; Waters, Ritchie staff, 8s; Criterion staff, 4s; Cakler, Minn, bread; 1 “ Anonymous,” six sheep, 1001 b sjusages; “ Anonymous,” one sheep; Juke’s, Oxo Butchery, Duke’s staff, Fuser and Son (bi-weekly donation),: twenty-five loaves; Ernest Adams, cake and 1 bag sugar; Mr Winton ind Boys’ Home, Caversham, vegetable; Mr Anderson (Stirling), two bag potatoes; Harraways, one sack fiotr; Crown Mills (weekly donation), : one sack flour; “Alice,” goods. ! SATURDAY'S DRIVE | The Ctizens’ Relief Committee is organising a drive throughout the city and subifbs on Saturday morning. A number jf lorries have been promised by Messjs Speights, Hudsons, New ' Zetland [Express Company, Crust and Crust, an Jackson Purdie. The Boy Scouts’ ifganisation will be assisting, and bondholders are invited to have any dofftions ready from 8 a.m. Foodstuff of any kind, especially jam, clothing,jboots (which should be tied in pairs): bedding, and. in fact, any household commodity will be collected. The Hapour Board has kindly lent “D ” sld as a receiving depot, and the St. .ndrew street depot has been also lent Is a store for the goods when sorted. !ara are required to assist in the collation, either with or without drivers, number of licensed drivers being at the committee’s disposal. fEEKLY CONCERTS Owing 'to there being such a good offer of terns for concerts in aid of the unci ployed, Mr G. Hears has decided toorganise weekly concerts instead of fortnightly. He hopes that will continue to assist him In this tffort. The first concert will j be held it Upper Junction on February 9. j ! apfial for school books I "" ! The voluntary workers at the Dowling strot depot ask that people should forwardfis soon as possible, any school books ff which the younger members of theij households have no further use. btb secondary and primary j school Ijoks are welcome. “ Stap-down ” week men who go ' to the jpot for goods next week must apply 1 Tuesday, Wednesday and Tnursdif mornings at 9 a.m., or as soon aipr that as possible. j|

PARTIAL SUSPENSION OF SCHEME 5

INTERFERING WITH HARVESTING [Pee United Peess Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, January 27. Because it is attracting meu from harvesting work tho No. 5 scheme is to be suspended from February 1 in many counties of Canterbury. The Paparua, Hals well, Malvern, and Selwyn Counoils have already had notification of tho suspension of the scheme, and it is understood that other councils may be notified within the next few days. Numj hers of complaints have been received that men are staying on relief works ' and refusing to accept the lower wages now offered for harvesting, although in the aggregate these wages are still greater than those given for relief | works.