THE UNEMPLOYED

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 176, 26 June 1926, Page 14

THE UNEMPLOYED

RELIEF AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHANGE IN THE CONTROL. •> .*t Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 25. After a meeting of unemployed had been held at tho Trades Hall this afternoon it was announced that Mr S. H. Fournier ; Communist leader, was no longer in charge of the relief department. Mr H. Hargreaves had been appointed to take over the position of secretary. Several meetings were held also during the morning, and a prolonged debate took place at the meeting of tho Trades Hall Unemployment Committee. It is understood that the change of secretary by tho unofficial committee was the outcome of this conference. No information was available to the Press, but a report of the proceedings was supplied later. This stated that the following resolutions had been passod:— “That from to-day the Trades Hall Unemployment Committee undertake all work in connection with the enrolment of those out of work, holding of unemployment meetings, granting and supervising any relief given, etc., and that any other committee in existence at the Trades Hall be disbanded immediately.” “That the chairman and secretary be the only members of she committee empowered to supply tin Press with reports or information.”. Mr Fournier was present at the meeting, and‘was given an opportunity to explain his activities in connection with the unemployed. Most of the men now registering at the Government labour bureau are single or married men with only small families. Several have been out of employment for a month or more. Ten registrations were received- yesterday and about 20 renewed their applications. It was found that two of tho men > who had been given employment by the citizens’ committee on the banks of the Wairarapa stream had worked all day on Thursday without food. Further inquiries showed that the men had large families and were greatly in need of the bare necessities of life. Arrangements were made for them to have lunch to-day. Mrs H. F. Herbert, who represents the Social Welfare Guild on the unemployment committee, was communicated with, and also promised to visit the men’s homes ana see that provision was made for adequately feeding and clothing the families. The chairman of the finance subcommittee of the citizens’ unemployment organisation has issued a statement that the public can rest assured that no funds will be handled by Communists. The committee is concerned lest the activities of the revolutionaries should prevent assistance for genuine cases of extreme hardship. POSITION IN INVERCARGILL., INVERCARGILL, June 25. There is little change in the unemployment position in the Invercargill district. The secretary of the carpenters’, plumbers’ and painters’ unions (Mr C. Provan) , stated yesterday that several carpenters were at present out of work. The Department of Labour has advised that the fist of unemployed on the books is still in the vicinity of 130.