UNEMPLOYMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 May 1933, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT

GREYMOUTH COMMITTEE. . Forty cases of distress were dealt with at a meeting of the Greymouth Unemployment Committee, yesterday afternoon, and each applicant received a small parcel of goods. The Mayor’s Fund is rapidly diminishing, and the balance now amounts only to approximately £6O. Next week is the “short week,” and the allocation by the Unemployment Board will amount to 7/6 for two day men, 12/6 for three day men, and £1 for four-day men. The Committee decided to purchase a bullock, and to distribute a joint to each unemployed family, next week. Due to the small earning-power of the men, assistance is urgently required, and donations will be appreciated. A new scheme of subsidising building operations is believed to be in hand by the Unemployment Board. The scheme, it is reported, will differ radically from the No. 10a scheme, which was terminated last year. It is likely that the new scheme will provide for a straight-out subsidy. The board, it is believed, is also considering the question of having clothing made for distribution on the same plan as the footwear. “These working schemes have become a haven of refuge for absconding husbands,” remarked Major R. Dagger, chairman of the Nelson Hospital Board, at a meeting of the board after the Relieving Officer had reported several cases where the husband had gone off on subsidised mining schemes, leaving their wives and children without food or money, making it necessary for the board to give assistance.