“POSITION DESPERATE"

Grey River Argus, 2 November 1928, Page 5

“POSITION DESPERATE"

BLACKBALL MINERS. Vain Search lor Work, ROAD WORKS HELD UP BY •‘RED TAPE.” REI ’R'ESE TA T! (>N s TO CO I’ XT y COUNCIL PROVES FRUITLESS. A deputation representing the uncniployed of Blackball, comprising Messrs A. Eagleshini and \V. Murphy, waited upon the Grey County Council yesterday, urging that the proposals to carry out certain work; be expedited with a view to providing work. Mr Murphy, addressing the Council, said the residents of Blackball were having a hard time Over a hundred of them were in dire straits, and were receiving no support. A deputation had waited on the Council over a month ago, but nothing had been done, and it was thought that the Couhcil should get a move on. 1 Mie had noG« cd (hat the Chairman of the Counts* Council, speaking at a political meeting at Te Kinga, had stated that while Mr Scddon was member for the district, the County Council had got mo'e iiionrv Ilian it could spend.' Tlie Chairman (Mr A. Robinson): That’s wrong. 1 never said it. Mr Murphy: "Well, you said that the County was unable to spend all the money. The Chairman: I did not. What I did say was that we were treated wed with grants. Mr Murphy: Anyway, what I said was according to the press report of the meeting. The Chairman: Then it wasn’t correct. You stick to the facts. Mr Eaglesham said that the position at Blackball was gradually getting worse. The miners had now been oat o ff work for eleven w?eks. There was considerable hardship, and they had been sent to interview the Council to find out if they could get something definite. They had been given promises before and told that the money v. as available, but the Engineer had informed Qiim that they couldn’t get Hie money. If it wa> a matter affecting the property interests in this town, • here wouhl be no trouble in finding the money. If it was a case of enterteining Imp? :::1 vkH"" or n-o'iding funds for war purposes, there would b? plenty of money available, but it was a different case when it concerned the workers of Blackball, who heaped up their profits. If was only red t‘ | ]ic that was standing in tin* way. Or J Ryall pointed out that the County and Puldie Works engineers would be going into the matter con coming the Coast Road, on the morrow and as, soon as tie money wis available, 'work Would be found for Hi’ uni mployed. The Council had 1 only that day decided to wi’e the Min- 1 ■-ter to expedite matters in regard to 1 other v orks. The plans had been for- • warded to the .Department, and if they 1 could not get them approved it was 1 not the fault of the Council. They could not go <’ii with such works until thev received authority.

The Chairman endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker. Ci Ryall said he would I'ke the Engineer to make a statement on the mat ter . 'l’he Engineer (Mr J. Higgins) said that he had already explained the position to Mr Eaglesham. Mr Eaglesham said that lie understood the position, but they wanted the- work hurried up, and that was why they ha/l approached thein, and had decided to make their protest through the Council. They knew it was “red tape - ’ that was causing the delay. The position at Blackball was desperd In reply Io Cr Ryall, the Engineer <aid that they might, have some difficulty in finding accommodation for the men when the work on the Coast Road was available. Cr Ryall remarked that the least Jn 1 Department could do was to provide tents. The Engineer: We'll have to pay for them. ~ The Engineer further explained to the deputation that nothing could be done until the Council had authority from the Department to proceed with .ueh works. Qnty that day they had received a letter from the Engincerq. Chief of the Public Works Department (Mr Furkert) warning the Council not Io proceed with works uni 1 they had authority. . otherwise tie iiu'ncv wouls not be granted. Cr' Ryall saifj tin v had wired the Niinistor. If they could tell the Coun eil what more, could they do, they would be willing to assist them. Mr Eaglesham ’a.gai'n stressed the r. m eds of the men at BlackLull. Could they not give them de finite information as to when work v. ould be available” The tengineer said that he was Infra id he couldn’t. .. . • Mr Murphv: That means that in tee meanlim'e. so far as the author, ties are concerned, the men al Bae.

ball can starve! Tin- Chairman: We van I do mote till we get authority. I Cr 11. Gi Carter suggested thnt .he Miners’ Union should wire the Minuter of Pub'ie Works pointing out ’he urgenev of obtaining '•?'"{ 1 ? r ' hl ' i nempiovod. Tim Council was just as Lclpless'in the matter as they ' wer, '‘ Cr Ryall mentioned that work could b , n e been found for the men on .he llmipiri road, but they were walling ter the plans to be approved. Mr Eaglesham thanked the Council for hearing their represent aliens, w.l 1 U n then withd'ew. BOROUGH UNABLE TO COPE WITH REQUESTS FOR WORK. Tim following letter was received the Town Clerk of Greymoutb, concerning unemployment:— “I have been directed by the Gic\ mouth Borough Council to bring undd the notice of your Council cases ot uneiaployed men from your district «J<> are applying to the Gro.ym.outh Boiough Council for work. No doubt the ' memliers of .voiu Council are aware ’ that in an endeavour to relieve distress caused bv the present depression, my Council lias mised one loan ot £14(10 for the purpose of providing employment for residents of Greyuioutli who are out of WOfl? and is raising another loan of about £3OOO for the same ■ ■purpose, but that money. can only pc expended in giving to legitimate residents of this town, as a guarantee to that effect is given t.ie Local Government Loans Board b.eforc ' {ianction is grant'd for the raising of * the Joan moneys. As repeated appbS cations for work are being made to the ■ Council by non-residents of Grey--0 mouth, the members of my Council are much concerned over this very distressing question and now appeal to ® your Council for guidance in the matter, in order that some adequate sys-

•'7~ruUiy. ■ • tern may lie devised wdierd.iy tlie unemployed of the nearby districts who apply for work in Greymouth, could receive relief, $s Qreymouth is at present unable to cope w'ith-t)ic. appeals made, jThe circumstances.are rebut unfortunately my Council is unable to bear the burden.” Cr Ryall moved that the County Clerk be instructed to inform the Borough Council v»r the position. He added (jocularly): “I suppose what' we sliould tell them is to mind their own business.”