UNEMPLOYED COLLECTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 May 1928, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED COLLECTIONS

AUCKLAND DISCLOSURES MAGISTRATE’S COMMENT (Per Press Association.} AUCKLAND, May 30. Some extraordinary disclosures were made in the Police Court, this morning, arising out of a'charge against Roger James Coyle, of being an idle and disorderly person, though this charge was dismissed by Mr Hunt, S.M. . r _ . From the evidence given by SeniorSergeant Cummings, Senior-Sergeant Brown, and Chief Detective Hammond, it appeared that Coyle and other men had been collecting money, for the relief of the unemployed, on an authority signed by C. G. Lindsay, Secretary of the “Unemployed Committee. The collecting boxes were so insecure that money dropped out'of them. The “unemployed committee” was a selfconstituted body, having no authority to collect. . The unemployed were authorised by the City Cguncil, 12 months ago, to make strbet collections on August 26, £333 being collected. Lindsay stated, in evidence that he was appointed' secretary at a salary of £4 10/- a week, and offices, were rented. After the street collection, it was decided to continue collecting. Coyle and other collectors received no salaries, but a percentage of their collections. Since September last they had collected over £lOOO. Questioned by the Magistrate, Lindsay said the committee comprised himself and three others. Two of them were also collectors. Mr Hunt described Lindsay’s book as showing nothing. It was disgraceful. He advised. Lindsay to get the committee placed on a proper footing by some responsible citizens. Meantime, he would impound the book for the new committee, to peruse, and see if the cash was all right.

WELLINGTON RELIEF SCHEME.

WELLINGTON, May 29.

At a meeting of the City Council tonight. it was decided to allocate C 10,000 (an amount similar to that allocated last year) in order to commence work for unemployed relief immediately. It was decided to approach the Government with a view to seeing what subsidy it is prepared to give. It was stated by the Mayor that there is definite work to which the unemployed men can be put.

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.

HAMILTON, May 29.

Replying to a deputation of Hamilton citizens on the subject of unemployment, Mr. Coates to-day held out hope of some relaxation of the rule that a Government subsidy will only bo given where 60 per cent, of the outlay represented labour costs. The Government had asked the Public Works and Treasury officials to report on the subject.