UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21131, 17 June 1932, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT

SINGLE MEN'S GAMPS

BOOTS AND WARM CLOTHING NEEDED DOWLING STREET DEPOT'S GOOD WORK From information gained by an ‘ Evening Star ’ reporter this morning it seems that those consistently good workers at the Dowling street depot will now concentrate their efforts in an endeavour to make life as pleasant as possible for the single men who have gone out into the country camps. Arrangements are in hand for the bootrepairing activities to be supplemented by the collecting and distributing of blankets, warm underclothing, and . all articles calculated to repel the cold of the Otago Central winter. It is highly desirable that the utmost public support should be forthcoming, for the men who have taken up camp life are by no means so well provided for in the way of clothing and bedding as were those who went into a different sort of camp during the war years. Many letters--not of a complaining or whining nature —have been received at the Dowling street depot pointing out the needs of the workers, and .it is imperative that they should be heeded.

In proof of the fact that the urgency of the appeal is recognised in some quarters it can be stated that a lady who wishes to remain anonymous has forwarded through this office to the depot a cheque for £2O to be expended solely in local retail shops on clothing for camp workers. There could be no better example shown than this. In addition to sending out boots, clothing, and blankets, the depot workers hope soon to be in a position to distribute a unmber of serviceable sleeping bags, a sample pattern of which has already been 'inspected. Members of the Otago Women’s Club, who have been working continuously in the interests of the unemployed, have been busy making shirts, while at the Dowling street depot rugs are being made from samples received from Messrs Ross and Glendining. Other garments have also been made from these materials.

During the month of May no fewer than 700 pairs of boots were repaired at the depot, thus shoeing the heaviness of the demand for leather. Moreover, 100 pairs of new boots are being issued, in addition to the blankets and clothing for the men in the camps. The following donations are gratefully acknowledged:—A large consignment of blankets from Mrs J. A. Roberts, and beds and bedding, etc., from Mrs Holloway (Anderson’s Bay), Mr Ashby, and Mrs Geddes.

In response to last night’s appeal for mattresses three generous donors have promptly come to the rescue.

SCHEME NO. 5

Works department groups to commence at 8 a.m. to-morroW:— 251 Norwood street, at Potter’s road. 252 Kaikorai Valley road, at Fraser’s road. 253 Norwood street, below Brown House. 255 The following men of group 255 at Kearney’s farm, Malvern street, one-half mile above Patnios avenue: —G. Anderson, G. P. Dalcom,. J. Davie, J. A. Dickison, A. J. Goodall, G. Gordon, J. Gray, N. M. Hall, C. C. Henderson, A. Lawrie, J. R. Lind, J. M'Donald. 255 The balance of group 255 at Wakari road, top of Fulton road. 256 Jeffery street, below school. 257 Brinsdon’s farm, Dalziel street, at ■ M’Millan’s corner. • 260 Sira’s farm, one-half mile southwest from St. Clair Golf Club. 262 Fox’s farm, Mornington road, above Industrial School. 263 Welbam’S farm, ond of Ettrick street. 265 Dickson’s farm, Barr street, at Agnes street. 269 Musselburgh rise, at steps. 272 Bain’s farm, Taieri road, at Ashburn Hall. 276 Gardner street, 38 chains from Elgin road. 278 Dunsmuir’s farm, Scidelin’s nur- • sery. Byron street. 285 Midland street, at sanitary stables. 286 Tomahawk road, at Hunt'street. 287 Anderson’s farm, top end of Greenock street. 351 Ross Creek, at lower reservoir. 352 Woodhaugh street; at quarry, 353 Hcllyer’s farm, Norwood street. 354 Portobello road, at bridge. 355 Tweedie’s farm, Wakari road.

356 The following men of group 356 at Tomahawk road, at Hunt street: — E. B. Ayres, A. C. Crimp, J. H. S. Dixon, V. A. Ferguson, H. Gillam, B. E. Kite, H. D. MTntosh, W. Mattingly. 356 The balance of group 356 at Somer- ■ villo street and Abbotsford road. 357 Cameron’s farm, Rudd road, threequarters mile from Wakari road. 360 Asquith street, at South road. 361 Tainui road, at Dundonald street. 362 Scott’s road, at Southern Reservoir. 363 Vernon’s farm, Brockville road, at water trough. 365 Stedman’s farm, Wakari road, opposite Passmore’s. 366 Pinehill road, at Gladstone road. 367 Queen’s drive, at Russell street. 368 North road, below Brown House. 360 Somerville street, at Cranston street. 370 Malvern street,. at Paper Mill. 372 Sligo terrace, at Erin street. 373 Wharf street, at tip. 376 Armitage’s farm, 165 Kaikorai . VsiHey road. 378 Brockbank’s farm, top end of Glenelg street.

DEPOT FOR ST. KILDA

A well-attended meeting was held in the St. Kilda Town Hall last evening to consider the advisability of opening a “B” depot in the borough under the new central scheme for the distribution of clothing, boots, fuel, etc. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Beattie) occupied the chair. Mr H. L. Paterson, representing the executive, attended the meeting and fully explained the new scheme. He impressed the necessity of united action throughout the city and suburbs, and pointed out the, advantage that would accrue to the St. Kilda unemployed, their wives, and families by the opening of a depot in the district. The point was raised as to what effect the opening of a local depot and joining up with the city would have upon the coal fund and other activities being at present run by the local unemployed. Mr Paterson pointed out that the Central Committee did not wish in any way to interfere with their funds or their activities, but if their coal distribution embraced all the unemployed in the district it might be possible for them to buy their coal cheaper from the central depot. He could not. however, commit bis executive, but would confer with them on the matter.

The Secretady of the Unemployed Association stated that already each of the 250 unemployed men in the borough had received a bag of coal a month for four months, and they had nearly enough money in hand for the fifth month. They had by dances, etc., raised about £240, and his executive would naturally not favour any scheme that would interfere with their activities.

After a lengthy discussion it was resolved, upon the motion of the Rev. P. Paris, seconded by Mr Napier—“ That this meeting agrees that it is advisable to open a ‘ B ’ depot in St. Kilda and link up with the central depot, with certain jjrovisos, which could be settled with the executive, and that a committee be appointed to carry on the necessary work.” The following committee was then set up;—His Worship the Mayor, Revs. P. Paris, A. Wingfield, Stanley Jenkins, H. G. L. Taylor, and D. Hoggie, Mesdamos Calister, Williams, Rust, and Wingfield, the president and treasurer of the St. Kilda Unemployed Association, Messrs D. C. 'Cameron, A. D. Edgar,

W. Pullar, M‘G. Walmsley, J. Carman, G. Davidson, and D. Harris Hastings, with power to add. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr Paterson for his attendance and lucid explanation.

NOT AUGMENTING FUNDS

[Per United Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, June 16. Suggestions are current that consideration is being given to' augmenting the unemployment moneys from the Consolidated Fund or by means of an internal loan, but the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) gave a negative reply when questioned to-day. He expressed the hope that the fund would be sufficient to meet the demands for relief.

PORT CHALMERS COMMITTEE

The Unemployment Committee held a meeting yesterday afternoon. A deputation of relief workers from Sawyers Bay asked that they be recognised by this committee and brought under its jurisdiction. The allotments for Sawyers Bay relief workers came through the post office at Port Chalmers. , The single men at Sawyers Bay had not, since Christmas, been getting an allowance of one day a week. A more equitable allotment was wanted. The Borough Inspector said he had on three occasions sent surplus money from the Port Chalmers allotments to Sawyers Bay for the relief workers. _ A deputation from tho local Relief Workers’ Association asked that thqir secretary be allowed time to attend to the relief provision room; that relief workers cut loose timber on the reserves for the unemployed; that the reduced allocation be attended to; and that a convenience be erected at Mussel Bay.

The Acting-chairman said the committee would give fair consideration to the requests made. The local Waterside Workers’ Union advised that its president, Mr N. Campbell, had been nominated to represent the union on the. Unemployment Committee.—Consideration of the letter was held over for the following meeting. Tile Certifying Officer said that allotment figures were not to be published. He was of the opinion that the expenditure of relief money coming through the Fort Chalmers Post Office should be controlled by the Port Chalmers Unemployment Committee. A number of applications from single relief workers were received asking to be exempted, for reasons stated, from going to relief camps. One exemption was granted by tbecommittee. It was stated that there were over forty single men registered In Port Chalmers. Unless single men signed a declaration that they were willing to go if required into canip they were not eligible for work in towns. A circular from the Unemployment Board made that stipulation, and the circular also included the following instruction: —“ In the event of'a single worker _ signing an undertaking to go to work in the country and subsequently, when called upon,' declining to go, such men should be ‘ stood down ’ indefinitely from the benefit of any form of relief in the cities or towns, but in the event of a single man worker retracting his previous attitude the certifying officer may in his discretion offer him employment in the country.”-

The committee decided to advise the Unemployment Board that the allotment being cut down every fourth week was a hardship locally, because all the relief workers’ stand-down week did not fall on the same date. The committee then considered the requests made by the deputations. The Acting-chairman stated, in reply to questions, that stand-down week was still in vogue locally, and supplies were being received from the Hospital Board. There was, however, likely to be a change very soon.

CONCERT AT ANDERSON’S BAY

The Bluebird Concert Party, under the direction of Mr J. T. ; Ramsay, staged a very successful entertainment ill the Cameron Hall, Anderson’s Bay, on Tuesday. The concert opened with a community sing, into which the audience entered whole-heartedly. Mr L. G. Wells acted as chairman, and in a few words explained that the entertainment was being given in aid of unemployed in the Anderson’s Bay district. The programme went through with a fine swing from start to finish, the organiser being ably assisted in this direction by Mr J. D. Clark. The door arrangements were in the hands of Mr John Kirkwood. The following was the programme:—Sean Trubhais, Misses Audrey Ramsay and Irene Jones; sailor’s hornpipe, Miss Irene Jones; Irish Jig, Miss Audrey Ramsay ; ventriloquist turn, Mr H. Eggers; instrumental trio—-Airs F. Jones, and Messrs J. T. and A. E. Ramsay; guitar duets, Messrs C. Lawrie and J. Johanson; accordion selection, Uncle Ben, of 4ZO; recitations—Miss Molly Randle, Miss B. M'Cartney, and Master Ray Ramsay; vocal solos, as follow:—' Until,’ and ‘ Somewhere- a Voice is Calling,’ Mrs Magon; ‘ When Song is Sweet ’ and ‘ The Old Church,’ Miss A. Cameron; ‘ Granny’s Heilan’ Hame ’ and ‘ The Desert Song,’ Mr George Kerr; ‘ Come to the Fair,’ Mr D. White; ‘ Poor Black Joe,’ Air J. Andrews; 1 When the Heather Bells are Blooming,’ Mr J. T. Ramsay. Two banjo-mandolin duets were also rendered by Mrs F. Jones and Mr J. T. Ramsay, ‘ Springtime in the Rockies ’ and ' Moonlight on the Colorado,’ the audience joining heartily in the choruses.

Two features of the programme which proved particularly amusing, were a silent playette, ‘ The Lighthouse ’ and a comedietta ‘ Choosing a Servant,’ staged by the Bluebirds (Airs Magon, Misses B. and AI. M'Cartney, Miss A Cameron, Messrs J. Andrews and J. T. and A. E. Ramsay). The accompanist was Miss Al. Renwick, and the piper Mr Angus AlTntosh, whose services were much appreciated.

During the interval the Chairman thanked the party for the fine entertainment given,' and introduced the Rev. Lionel Richards, convener of the local relief organisation, who_ explained the new arrangements and invited all present to a meeting to be held at a later date. Alter the singing of the National Anthem the proceedings closed with three hearty cheers for the entertainers.

Tho Bluebird Concert Party is giving a similar concert in the Presbyterian Church Hall, Albert street, St. Clair, on Tuesday next, (June 21), proceeds of which are to go towards the relief of distress in the St. Clair district.