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Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1930, Page 4

T;:e indications for a quiet winter in the matter of employment in the district are all too apparent at the moment. The principal factor is tire depressed timber trade resulting in a a lack of orders. Almost daily now he unemployed are being added to by mills closing down or shortening hands. In connection with the milling situation the employers appear to be making quite a praiseworthy effort to keep the mills going. They are doing their best certainly, despite the conditions they are labouring under which can hardly be profitable. Actually some of the mills are kept going to provide employment, the owners cutting in the hope of receiving orders, or stacking large quantities ot reserve supplies, the early call for which is very problematical. The community—as well as as the employees— should be grateful for these efforts to keep men employed. It is fortunate at this juncture that there is a fillip in mining. The prospects at Oknrito continue good and tin' share market shows considerable activity in scrip covering thei Five Mile proposition.

Nearer- home, a largo amount of extra work is being created in and about the dredge, botli at tbe works and in '■orinoct'on with the' power supply. Tin's movement is also employing additional labour, but unfortunately tbe supply of men is greatly above the number required. As tbe works progress more men will be employed, but Hie work is not likely to last more than a few mouths. Still it is a very useful period at a* time when the demand for employment is so considerable. At tbe moment, too, tbe flax propositions are depressed, lmm b 1 ing bad to be put oil' for tbe tune be- , ing. but ibis industry is due T> taka a elm age at any time. Farming is absorbing a li w men, but m r't labourers are looking for a -enle of pav fcov ; nd the resources of the settlers. , Still, when men are aide to perform farming duties intelligently, places pan be provided (for capable j men, but not. at the ruling rates for | wages on public works. Special public J works in tin's district, to absorb snr-j plus labour are proceeding in South j Westland but the ranks appear to be j r dled mostly with workmen sent irom | outside the district. It was expected , he Dorothy Falls road near Lake j v anieri would ho available (for tbo' local unemployed over tbo winter, J ■Suiio time ago a hurried start was. made with the building of lmtments ''•u* about thirty men, and although 'hose are erected, and an overseer '••I* been on the ground for some time, the authority to begin the work is Still lacking. This work' commenced, woubj nllurd .1 measure of relief and would provide at least immediate suoeo,ir (o manv needing employment. It |||,. cji nneil y' number of tin' Work" I wore •emidovod i| would (|iep be pus- 1 si!.to |n oomge (be imemptovcd market more closely, and as so many appear to , lie needing work at present the sooner ‘ 1 • ;ol) is iindeWokon I be- better, and j ‘’lo ma I tor slioidi! now tie pressed ur‘nod Iv.