UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 149, 13 June 1930, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

POSITION IN HASTINGS. WORK READY BUT NOT YET SANCTIONED. The Borough Engineer (Mr C E. Evans) reported to the Hastings Council last evening that plans, showing the proposed extension of the drain widening and preparation work for tennis courts at Beatson’s Park, had been sent to the Public Works Department. The estimated cost was £1079 Ils 6d, and tho council askeH for a£2 for £1 subsidy. Tho Returned Soldiers’ Asssociation was finding £75 for the employment of returned men on the above scheme, and, as soon as authority was received from the Department, a start would bo made with tho work.—Adopted. The Minister of Public Works wrote regretting that the Government '■odd not see its way to authorise a subsidy to local bodies on relief works on more favourable terms and conditions than last year. —The Mayor reported that he had communicated with the cx-Minister of Public Works (now Minister of Lands), referring to a recent conference he had with him, and requesting him to again go into tho matter with the present Minister of Public Works. PROFFERED HELP. The Napier Frivolity Minstrels Lave offered to assist the Mayor in his efforts to raise money for tho uncmploy cd in Hastings. Tho Mayor announced that he led received 477 books of tickets for *.ho Art Union to bo sold in Hastings and these had been distributed to'some of the unemployed to sell. NAPIER COMMITTEE’S EPPORT. WORK PROVIDED FOR MANY. During the past week over 60 married men were placed through the Napier Unemployment Committee, there are still 30 married and 70 single men seeking employment in the town. Mr W. E. Barnard, M.P., told the committee that thirty men had been engaged for the Girls’ High Sc’.ool excavation, and that he had the assurance of the Public Works engineer in charge that the men were work ing splendidly and he was well satisfied. On the Port School reclamation work, he said, 10 men were employed while several would be engaged on the Marine Parade improvement work that was started this morning. The Mayor (Mr J. Vigor Brown) stated that in addition to the employment reported by Mr Barnard, fifteen married returned soldiers had commenced work in the borough parks, the funds for which came from Poppy Day. Mr C. O. Morse intimated that he proposed to make a further propc sal to the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board which would involve an expenditure of from £lOO to £l5O, all of which would be labour, and upon which men could almost immediately be put to work. COUNCIL CRITICISMS. Some dissatisfaction was expressed by certain members of the Napier Unemployment committee last eight at the attitude of the Napier Borough Council towards the relief of the unemployed, one member asserring that the discussion by the council last Monday night was an attack on Mr W. E. Barnard, M.P. The Mayor, Mr J. Vigor Brown explained that the Council had done everything possible without invoicing an increase in the rates. In reply to Mr Barnard, as to what the council had done this year# Mr Brown said that everything possible had been done with the money available. It was explained that further work would be provided iu the loan recently approved of, the money for which had yet to be raised. OFFERS TO ASSIST. Several offers of assistance to raise funds were gratefully accepted. The Loyal Napier Lodge of Oddfellows, M.U. 1.0.0. F., intimated that they were holding a dance on June 25 'in aid of the unemployed. Several other functions were spoken of, and members expressed rhe opinion that it was preferable to raise funds by this means instead of opening subxcrirtiau lisLs. x