THE UNEMPLOYED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 240, 7 September 1928, Page 4

THE UNEMPLOYED.

MINERS IDLE AT BLACKBALL.

Per Press Association

GREYMOUTH, Sept. 6. Tlio Grey County Council to-day resolved that owing to the seriousness of unemployment in the county, particularly the large number of miners thrown idle at Blackball, the Minister of Public Works bo requested to .employ these men on the Buller Gorge railway and any other work available on tho coast. In reply to a deputation from tlio unemployed Blackball miners, tlio chairman of tho Grey Hospital Board, Mr J. W. Hannan, promised to call a special meeting to consider how tlie board could assist temporarily, and added that tlio board could not help w'ithout a Government grant.

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Sept. 6. A deputation representing tlio AVest Coast Medical Associations and State Miners’ Union waited on tho Premier to discuss matters affecting the welfare of miners, Mr Holland introducing it. A request was made that a scheme be devised whereby the miners, tlie owners and the State w - ould each contribute 3d per miner a w - eek to sick funds. The income of_ the existing fund last year was £597, against an expenditure of £779 15s. Mr Coates asked if there was any objection to a levy being made on tire accident fund for the purpose of sick relief, and tho Under-Secretary of Mines said that tliero was no legal objection. Tlio question of the Ngakawau lenses w - as also brought up. Mr Coates said that lio would see what could be done to clear the matter up. In regard to unemployment, Mr Holland suggested work should be found on railway w - orks in the vicinity. Mr Coates said that they had more public works men than they knew what to do with. He had been making investigations with a view to mapping out work for the miners, but was not in a position to say anything definite yet. Mr Connell (president of tlio Miners Union) brought up minor matters not adopted between tbe union o.ncl tlio department when tlie agreement was under consideration. Mr Coates said that lie would be pleased to go into the various matters and would forward a reply to the Union.