THE UNEMPLOYED.

Grey River Argus, 20 July 1926, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYED.

N.Z. WORKERS IDLED. By Immigration. AUCKLAND, July 19. Complaint was made at the meeting of the Auckland Unemployment Committee to-day to the effect that immigrants were displacing New Zealanders, with the result that the great majority of those- now registered as unemployed here are local people. it was decided that the attention of the Government should be directed to present the position in relation to unemployment, and. that the Govern-i meat be requested to consider seriously the present immigration policy, with a view to its modification, with the object of preventing additional people being thrown on the labour market during the period of unemployment. BOROUGH LOAN TO BE RAISED. AUCKLAND, July 19. The Newmarket Borough Council confirmed a special resolution to raise a loan of three thousand pounds to reI lievc unemployment, effecting perman[ent improvement to Outhwaite Park and to levy a special rate of three farthings in the pound on all rateable prop-

CHRISTCHURCH POSITION. CHRISTCHURCH, July 19. Nine registrations were received on Saturday at the office of the Labour Department, and 30 men who were unemployed renewed their applications for work. Of the number six were married with 23 dependents. Four of the applicants had previously been given work by the Department, but it had run out. Occupations were represented as follows:—Labourers 4-, hotel worker 1, drivers 2, farm hand 1 gardener 1. Three men were provided with work two in private employment and one in Government. At the Trades Hall a carcase and a half of mutton were received on Saturday morning, and this, with othei donations of meat was rationed out among the applicants. At a meeting of the unemployed £

resolution was passed expressing ap preciation of the treatment of appli cants for work by Mr. E. G. Queree, officer in charge of the unemployment bureau of the Labour Department Twenty-two more men began relief work on Saturday. Six will be. employed by the Riccarton Borough Council, commencing this morning at improvements to the children s playground ; seven will go to Lyttelton for work at Corsair Bay; seven will be em ployed by the Heathcote County Ooun cil; and the remainder will be divided between the Gardens and a, reserve at Wainoni. A selection was made to-day of an additional 20 men for work at Beckenham Park, to commence on Wednesday. . . When a reporter visited the Citizens’ Relief Depot on Saturday morning, he found a great array of clothing and food which had been given. The clothing comprises practically everything needed by the applicants, but homes are being visited to ensure that only cases in real need are being relieved. Food was being served out

at once. Included in the gifts were quantities of jam, bread, butter, and vegetables and on Saturday two.dona--tions of cash were received. There were numerous applicants for relief, in one case a youth, 18 years of age, who stated he was hungry and had slept out, receiving rations. He said he was an immigrant, but he had been disappointed in his quest for work. The depot also gave him four Mr. F. O. Ellis, who is on the subcommittee in control, stated on Saturday that citizens who had been send ing relief to the Trades Hall should m future send it to the citizens’ depot. The unemployed organisation, however, decided unanimously on Friday to keep open the Trades Hall depot and conduct it independently of the Trades Hall Unemployment Comimt-

A telegram from the Minister for Public Works, in reply to a suggestion from the committee that country work should be made available for single mon, stated that the matter was the subject of enquiry. ■EFFORT TO MUZZLE A LEADER. CHRISTCHURCH, July 19. Mr S Fournier, leader of the Communist Party at Christchurch, and one of the unemployed, was offered wort by the Citizens’’ Committee on Saturday at 15/2 a day, but did not turn up, though he sent a note saying that he was unable to take the horticultural and sylvan tasks proposed. Yesterday he addressed a meeting of men. demanding work for all the unemployed.

92 IDLE AT INVERCARGILL. INVERCARGILL. July 19. Although the unemployment figures supplied this week by the Government Labour Bureau show very little change (a decrease of 22) opinions expressed to-day tended to a belief that the position was generally casing. There are now 76 males and 14 females awaiting positions here. Several vacancies are still to be filled.