UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 June 1933, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

MARRIED MEN’S CAMPS. [PER pbess association.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 9. Twenty-five delegates, representing the business organisations, churches, social workers, local bodies, and relief workers in Christchurch, at a conference to-day, expressed disapproval of any' attempt to force married men into camps against theii* will. The Mayor, Mr. D. Sullivan, who presided, was requested by the conference to secure a definite assurance from the Minister for Employment, Mr. Hamilton, that no compulsion would be used, and that those married men who would not go into camps would not be penalised by the relief authorities.

A further meeting was held to-day to consider the Minister’s, reply. DEPARTMENTAL DENIAL. CHRISTCHUDCH, .Tune 10. A denial' was made this morning, by R. T. Bailey, officer in charge of the Labour Department, to the allegations made yesterday at the local bodies’ conference, that because certain unemployed married men refused to go to camp, their registration cards were torn up by Department officials, and that they were informed no further work would be avaiable for them. Mr Bailey has written to Mayor Sullivan inviting him to visit the bureau, “when you will be permitted to call for the cards alleged to have been destroyed. If the original cards are produced then I will expect a public apology to be offered to the officers of the bureau.” ANGORA RABBIT FARMS. CHRISTCHURCH, June 9. A decision to establish Angora rabbit farms for the training and employment of workless boys, provided the required money can be raised, was reached at a special meeting of the Boys’ Employment Committee this evening. It is believed that immediate work can be found for 30 or 40 boys, and that a larger number may be employed later. The amount which the committee estimates will be necessary to establish the farm is £5OO.

A telegram from Mr. Coates states that validating legislation will be introduced next session for the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s grant of ££oo to unemployed relief, provided it is voted from revenue. FARMER’S FRAUD. ASHBURTON, June 9. William Hope Price, a farmer at Hinds was fined £3 and ordered to refund £2 5/- with costs 36/- for obtaining benefit from the Unemployment Board by falsely declaring that H. A. F. Larcombe worked for him for a certain period. Larcombe was charged with obtaining benefit by a false statement, and was ordered to refund £2 5/- with costs 36/-. Price drew’ for keep and Larcombe for wages. GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S FUND. AUCKLAND, June 9. The Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe have appointed Sir William D. Hunt and Sir Alexander F. Roberts, Wellington, trustees to administer the Governor-General’s winter relief fund. With a view to augmenting the fund the Auckland Racing Club intimated its intention of holding a special race meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday, July 22, and devoting the entire proceeds to the object named.