UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21581, 29 November 1933, Page 11

UNEMPLOYMENT

WORKERS' MOVEMENT __ A well-attended meeting of the Unemployed Workers’ Movement was held on Tuesday in the Trades Hall. It was announced that the secretary (Mr F. O’Rorke) was in Wellington attending the national conference of the unemployed. It was agreed to cooperate with the Dunedin North Unemployed Workers’ Association in asking the City Council for concessions to relief workers in the charges for electric light and for full payment for wet weather. A deputation was formed to wait on the local Unemployment Committee on Friday to place before them various grievances.. The meeting also carried a resolution voicing its objections to free labour being called on at the wharf. A committee of women was formed to take up the question of the treatment of unemployed girls and women, and it is intended to bring up this matter before the Unemployment Committee. A very encouraging report was received from the Mornington branch of the U.W.M. It was also agreed to forgo the meeting on the Oval on Sunday at the request of the Otago Labour Representation Council. SCHEME NO. 5 Works Department. Groups to commence at 8 a.m. to-morrow:— 62 Elgin road, at Barr street. 63 Stafford street, at Alva street. 64 Pine Hill road, at Gladstone road. 65 Signal Hill road, five chains above M‘Gregor street. 66 Wharf street, at tip. 67 Pitcairn street, at sanitary stables. 68— M'Leod’s farm. North Taieri road, near Ashburn Hall. 69 Pine Hill road, at Fea street. 71—Ross Creek reservoir. 75—Green Island aerodrome site (meet Caversham railway station at 7.55 a.m:). 78 Cavell street, at Lochcnd street. 85— Leith Valley road, at tool box, half a mile above Leith Valley School (meet at Fulton road at 8 a.m.). 87— Pine Hill road, at top of steps from George street. 88— Pine Hill road, at top of steps from George street. 90—Wharf street, at tip. 2.001 Heriot row, top of Constitution stieet. „ _ 2.002 Heriot row, top of Constitution street. 2.003 — Heriot row, top of Constitution street. _ Reserves Department.—Groups will report for work at 8 a.m. to-morrow as 608.’ 706—At Opoho Football Ground. , v 93, 705—At the Stadium. 86— At Chisholm Park. RELIEF WORKERS OH STRIKE MAINTENANCE WORK AT UNEMPLOYED RATES [Per United Press Association.') WAIROA, November 29. Recently the relief workers' employed at the Wairoa-Waikokopu railway refused to work, claiming that the work was maintenance and should be paid for at standard rates, and struck. The result was that the men concerned were refused further relief by tho board. At last night’s meeting of the Wairoa Council the mayor, Mr Harkcr, referred to the position, claiming (hat the men had a perfectly legitimate complaint. He said that every local body in New Zealand should point out to the Government the unsatisfactory state of affairs

as far as the Unemployment Board was concerned. On his motion the following was carried unanimously:—“That this council voices strong disapproval of the attitude of the Government in forcing men to do maintenance work at the unemployed rates paid out of tho unemployment funds, as by carrying on this policy the Government is depriving the men of the possibility of earning a livelihood.” RABBITERS WANTED Men are required for rabbit extermination in the _ Queenstown, Owaka, and Oamaru districts. Either single or married men who are registered and eligible for relief work may be placed on this work, on making application at the Government Employment Bureau, II King street. Applicants with rabbiting experience will be placed first, but others who are ablebodied and willing, will be given work. CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS TREAT A successful meeting of the ladies interested in the mayor’s appeal for a Christmas treat for the children of the unemployed was held in the mayor’s room at the Town Hall yesterday. Representatives from the depots and the various city churches, including St. Paul’s St. Joseph’s, First Church, Trinity Methodist, Hanover Street Baptist, St. Peter’s, and Salvation Army were present. Tho ladies formed themselves into a strong committee to canvass the city on Friday in the hope of considerably assisting the funds required with a street day. Stallholders and helpers were also appointed for the garden party, which is to be held in Mrs Solomon’s grounds on December 9, to raise funds for the same object. The city churches and depots will again give valuable assistance. It is confidently hoped that the general public will again rise to the occasion and make this worthy effort a success. When it is realised that Christmas time is surely a happy time for children, it is hoped that those more fortunate citizens will again assist to bring some pleasure into the lives of those less fortunate. Donations of cakes, sweets, produce, etc., will be gratefully received for cither of these functions, and mav be left at the Town Hall. D.W.F.A. MEETING The weekly meeting of the Dunedin Workers ’Friendly Association was held in tho Town Hall, North-east Valley, on Monday night. The Chairman (Mr T. Smith) presided over a large_ attendance of members. The business consisted of several important measures for tho betterment of the association. Eight new members were elected, who, with tho previous new members, add materially to tho numerical strength of the body. The report of the Social Committee disclosed a good balance despite tho increasing warmness of the evenings. Tho auditors having completed their work, their report was submitted and was considered very satisfactory. Special mention was made in the report regarding the creditable manner in which the books had been kept and prepared for inspection by the secretary. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting.

“ What kind of brain hag she got? ” “ About a thousand scandal-power.”

NORTH DUNEDIN WORKERS The weekly meeting of the North Dunedin Unemployed Workers' Association was held at 810 King street, >Mr J. E. Hastie presiding over a good attendance of members. Correspondence from Mr J. W. Munro, M.P., _ the Unemployment Board, the Minister of Employment, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the North Dunedin Labour Party, Mr M. J. Savage (Leader of the Opposition), and the Unemployed Workers’ Movement, was read and discussed. Three complaints were reported, and it was decided to appoint deputations to interview Cr Silverstone and the Unemployment Board regarding them. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr C. Moss inviting him to address the association. Mr Matthews was elected to fill the vacancy on the executive caused by the resignation of Mr J. Reynolds, on account of ill-health. The Social Committee reported on the social functions being held at the North-east Valley Town Hal! every Tuesday evening. The association decided to endorse the Social Committee’s recommendations that a free five hundred tournament should take place at 810 King street next meeting night. Members are cordially invited to be present to make the function a success. The Organising Committee reported the enrolment of five new members. AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE [P*a Ukit»» Pkkbs Association.] AUCKLAND, November 29. A conference convened by the Mayor of Auckland at the instigation of the Fanners’ Union will be held to-morrow of representatives of the many metropolitan local bodies and organisations to discuss unemployment. Among other questions to be considered arc whether the present relief system is satisfactory, and, if not, what could take its place; whether trade union conditions should be restored and working hours reduced; whether all relief works should be abolished, and sustenance payments substituted ; whether support should be given to the demands for Government inquiry into a monetary and credit system ; and whether there should be a national planning of industry.