OUT OF WORK

Evening Star, Issue 21993, 1 April 1935, Page 11

OUT OF WORK

PLIGHT OF EX-SERVICEMEN ACTIVITIES OF R.B.A. * “ Unemployment lias again been one of the major problems dealt with by your executive throughout the year,” states the annual report of the Dunedin Returned 'Soldiers’ Association, “ and, although we are pleased to report a slight improvement in the matter ot registrations for our Christmas parcels, there are .still many hundreds of exsoldiers who are out of employment. “ It ha's been noticeable to your secrefarv throughout the year that ex-sol-diers are in many cases passed over in the.matter of employment, and younger men are given preference, even although in many cases these men have had years of experience at their particular trades. We would- earnestly appeal to employers generally to give consideration to these men when they are increasing their stafi's or re-organising , them. We again called our grocer members together in respect to the Christmas parcel, and we also convened a meeting ot master, butcher members, and we were able to assist our unemployed married men in the city with a parcel of groceries and of meat. We are again greatly indebted to the Perpetual Trustees Estate and Agency Co. Ltd., who administer the Grace Lillian Mitchell fund, for so kincllv donating the stun of £l5O, and also to the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare. Association lor their donation of £IOO to assist us with this Christmas parcel. ~ “ During the festive seasons this gilt brings cheer to many homes, and we feel sure that before another Christmas comes along a great manj; more of the recipients will be once again restored to permanent employment. ' “.Throughout the year our single men have received one day’s work in-each “ stand."down ” week, this work being carried out at the Chisholm Park Golf Links. •, • , . “ Wc wish to express on behalf of the ■ unemployed ex-soldiers; their deep appreciation of the magnificent gift of 547 10lb tins of jam, again received from the-Roxburgh Committee. To our members, well-wishers, and all those who so kindly and willingly assisted to prepare this gift we express our very deep and sjpeere thanks. To thoso friends who again ■ forwarded to us many sacks of . apples, we also wish to express our appreciation of their kindly thought. In the many cases of sickness and hardship during the past < winter the ten-ton truck cf'coal received from the Kaitangata .Sub-association has proved a true bleSsing, and has brought comfort to many homes. “We also wish to extend our thanks to our many friends and well-wishers our appreciation of their kindly thought in donating, from time to time, gifts of jam, vegetables, bread, oatmeal, and , clothes, etc., for our unemployed esServioemen and their dependents in necessitous circumstances. “It is pleasing to report that after many months’ negotiations with the Lands Department, the Minister ot Lands has very kindly leased to the association an area of 170 acres of ‘ tailings ’ at Roxburgh for the purpose of tree planting. “This work will be carried out by the unemployed ex-soldiers at Roxburgh, and will in years to como be re-venue-producing ; but in the meantime it is work of a constructive nature.”