UNEMPLOYMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 May 1928, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS,

At the meeting of the Eltham Borough Council last night a letter was. read from the Hon. O. J. Hawken, Commissioner of State Forests, in which he stated that there was a considerable amount of - unemployment existing at present, and wnile the Government looked upon this as largely a temporary and seasonal condition, it was alive to the necessity of finding employment for those out of work rather than calling oh the charitable aid funds. It was suggested that them were works in districts that could be put in hand to provide a certain amount of work during the coming winter, and the Government would be glad to cooperate with the council in carrying out such work on the following lines: The Government to find 60 per cent of the labour cost ; works to be finished by October next; work not to be ordinary council work, but that which would not in the ordinary course be undertaken for some years. It- was suggested that bad bends in roads, widening of cuttings, fillings, or railway crossings, tree or any work of that nature could he undertaken under the scheme. It was not suggested that large expenditure should be incurred by each, local body, but that a few extra, men could be reasonably employed by all local bodies who had the funds available. If the council would go into the matter on those lines, the Minister would he' glad to hear from the council, so that arrangements could, he made in time for the winter.

This letter was referred to the executive committee.