UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 22797, 4 November 1937, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT

NATIONAL WORKERS' MOVEMENT The quarterly meeting of the Dunedin branch of the National Unemployed Workers’ Movement was held in the Trades Hall on Tuesday evening, Mr M. Silverstone (president) presiding over a very large attendance. Correspondence was received from Hon. H. T. Armstrong (Minister of Labour), Hon. P. Fraser (Minister of Justice), Dr D. G. M'Mill an, M.P.,

Mr J. S. Hunter (Secretary of Labour Department), Dunedin Trades Council, town clerk (Mr R. A. Johnston), Mayor’s Relief Committee, Christchurch N.U.W.M., Lawrence N.U.W.M., North Dunedin branch, and various other local organisations. It was agreed to support the North Dunedin branch in its request, and the secretary was instructed to get in touch with the Tuapeka County Council in regard to complaint sent m from Lawrence branch. The organising report showed that nine new members had joined up, five had rejoined, two_ transferred, and 36 had received rotational work on various jobs. The secretary reported that he had attended six ballots for different jobs, and 88 men had been selected at the Labour Bureau. He had also attended to other complaints and interviewed the certifying officer, chairman of reserves, and the mayor. Thd quarterly financial statement and auditor’s report was submitted, which showed the branch to be in a very satisfactory position both in finance and membership. The statement was unanimously adopted, and the secretary’s work was greatly appreciated. The Concert Committee submitted a financial report of a concert held in the Concert Chamber on Sunday, October 24, which was received. The winners of the two 10s free grocery orders were Messrs Sanders and Wyslip. The President reported on a number of complaints that he had taken up with the Minister of Labour in Wellington. A very interesting report was received from the deputation that waited on the Reserves Committee ro Flagstaff complaints to the satisfaction of all men

on the job, Messrs Kelly and Pyster being thanked for their services. Mr W. G. Cocking was elected to a vacant position on the executive.

Complaints were heard from men working on the Duke’s road job re waiting on bus on wet days and payment for Christmas holidays, and these were left in the secretary’s hands to deal with. After the general business had been dealt with a collection was taken up on behalf of the local Spanish medical aid fund..