UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21836, 27 September 1934, Page 11

UNEMPLOYMENT

COMMUNITY SING AT ST. HILDA There was a good attendance at the first community sing, held last evening in the Coronation Hall, St. Kilda, despite the adverse weather conditions. The proeeds were for the mayor’s relief depot, and the mayor (Mr A. D. Edgar) thanked the audience for their attendance, which was an encouragement to arrange further sings. The next one would be held on Wednesday, October 10, at 7.45. Mr H. 11. Daniels made a good leader, and the audience sang many songs, both old and new. During the evening items were contributed to by Mr Tom Dillon (tenor), Miss Irene Scott (acrobatic speciality), Mr Tom Mawer (accordion solos). Mr Les. Paris and Mr J. G. Kearsley were the accompanists. YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM In an article in the ‘ Dominion ’ on, the youth unemployment problem it was stated that a successful solution had been arrived at by the Boys Employment League of Western Australia. The list of boys placed m employment during the last thirty-three months numbered well over 4,000, and it was shown from other figures quoted that approximately 96 per cent, of the league’s boys were eventually placed in employment. Apparently the keynote to the scheme’s success was simplicity of action. There were no agreements or trammels; all red tape was eliminated. Boys were dealt with so far as possible individually to satisfy their peculiar aptitudes and needs; but the deciding factor was always “ get a job and put a boy in it.” The league had a staff of only two, and committee meetings ware seldom held. The average cost per head of boys placed had been reduced as low as 3s Id. In connection with this statement an interesting comparison can be made regarding the work of the Oamaru Employment Boys’ Committee. .In Domain the administration cost is 9}d a job for 320 boys placed in work since June 14 1932, to date. This is exclusive of £287 10s 3d paid directly to the unemployed boys themselves in wages, subsidies, materials for class w’ork, am clothing, as well as a sum of £l4 5s b(J expended in advertising and fees in a campaign to encourage boys and girls to link up with the regular technical classes at the Waitaki High School. In Oamaru to-day the scheme is operating practically on the lines of the Western Australia committee’s movement; meetings have been more or less abandoned, and the work is left in the hands of the secretary (Air J. C. Kirkness), who has voluntarily carried on this work since the inception of the scheme. NO. 4 DEPOT The ladies' section of the No. I district will be open to-morrow al ternoon from 2 till 1.30, when its activities for this season will be concluded. A

considerable tjuantity of new garments suitable for women and children has been distributed to the registered unemployed in the No. 4 district. This has supplied a long-felt want, and the Ladies’ Committee is deserving of every praise for the time given in cutting out and making up, and also in supplying necessitous cases in the distret who had been recommended for a free grant. CRICKET CLUB MEETING * The annual meeting of the St. Kilda Unemployed Cricket Club was held in the Culling Park Pavilion before a good aattendance of players. Last season the club won fourteen games and lost four, a very creditable performance. This year the club had again been allotted a wicket on Culling Park free of charge, and the St. Kilda Borough Council was to be thanked for its generosity. The following office-bearers were elected Patron, the mayor (Mr A. I). Edgar) ; president, Mr E. Hunter; vice-presidents—Councillors J. A. Carman, K. Longworth, N. C. Anderson, M. J. Kelly, W. Lovell, A. Morrison. J. W. Lunam, U. W. Sellars, R. Griffiths, Messrs W. G. Griffin, T. Trezise, A. I). Hudson, R. Hudson, D. C. Cameron, 0. Barsdell, W. Strang. J. Beattie, H. H, Leary, M. Idour, T. Wheelwright, H. Burrell, Dr Allan, Dr Fulton; captain, Mr L. Voysey; auditor, Mr D. C. Cameron; treasurer, Mr W. Dillon: official scorer, Mr W. Lorimer; secretary, Mr M. Anderson. ; NO. 4 DISTRICT DANCE To-night the Social Committee of No. 4 district will stage another of its dances in the South Dunedin Town Hall. These functions give the dancing public a good night’s entertainment at an admission charge which suits the times. The Triumph Band will be in attendance. There will also be two Monte Carlos, for which prizes will be presented. Supper may be procured at a small charge in the new room.