UNEMPLOYMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 149, 13 June 1930, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT

ROTORUA’S PROBLEM ITINERANT WORKLESS. ARRIVING IN DROVES. Hamilton, June 12. Some pertinent remarks on tho subject of unemployment in his district were made by Mr W. Hill, Rotorua, at tho Waikato Hospital Board meeting to-day. la pointing out that three schemes in tho nature of unemployment relief, those of tho Rotorua-Taupo road, afforestation and baths, were taking place in and near Rotorua. Mr Hill said the authorities in Auckland and elsewhere were freely and thoughtlessly sending mbn into the district irrespective of whether jobs were available for them or not. As a result tho town had been invaded by unemployed, causing a strain on tho resources of tlie Hospital Board’s outdoor relief fund. He had the greatest difficulty in dealing with these cases, at the same time guarding the interests of the board. Some of the men were the usual imposters, making a living at the game and adopting it as a profession. Others bad tramped long distances to get to Rotorua as a result of local author! ties’ advice. He had seen more than one instance of men with toes sticking out of their boots. Many were willing to work, but could not get it. They were hungry ana homeless; one simply had to do something for tacm under the circumstances

It was most unfair cf the Public Works Department and afforestation works to attract men they could not employ immediately. They often kept penniless men waiting days while they got authority to employ them. This drain through outdoor relief meant a heavy tax on the ratepayers, but he could not see how it was to be avoided. If one was to exercise nny humanity at all, the end was not yet in sight by any means. Men were still coining through in droves. THE NEW PLYMOUTH SCHEME. New Plymouth, June 12. The New Plymouth Unemployment Committee this morning decided to put into operation the voluntary subscription scheme which two years ago met with considerable success. Under the scheme an employee makes a small donation weekly, which is subsidised by his employer and further subsidised by the Government. The Minister of Labour, who was present at the meeting, gave the schcn.v his full support. At present there are 98 unemployed on the committee’s list, 23 having recently been found work, reducing the actual wc.rkless to 75; only three of these are single men. ROACHS’ RECENT BALL.

£lOO MADE AVAILABLE. The Mayor has received the following letter from the secretary of the Roachs’ Ltd. staff unemployment oall committee: — “Dear Sir, —1 have pleasure iu handing you herewith a statement of account and a cheque for £lOO (he proceeds of our recent effort to help your unemployment fund. In doing so I would like to impress the fact that great encouragement and practical help was received from our friends. The committee hopes that the effort will mean that something worthwhile will be done to help those less fortunate.” The statement of accounts shows that tho gross proceeds the ball and the sale of tickets amounted to £94 19s 6d, and Roachs’ Ltd. staff contributed £5 0s 6d. Thanks to the supporters the expenses were nil. OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE. The Mayor has received an offer from Messrs Kelly and Co., of Hastings, to supply a free dinner each Saturday to a deserving family in Hastings, The names of applicants arc to be submitted to the Borough Engineer, who is iu elose touch with the unemployed. “I gladly accept this very fine offer,” stated the Mayor. “It is very much appreciated.” The Hastings Orphans’ Club have agreed to hold Sunday evening concerts, and “shilling pops” in the Assembly Hall, the receipts to go to the Mayor’s fund. To date 202 applications for work have been made to the Borough Engin eer (Mr C. E. Evans). Of this total 33 are from returned soldiers. In all 19 men were placed on Public Works jobs, but seven have returned to Hastings.