THE UNEMPLOYED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 176, 27 June 1932, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED

' MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The weekly meeting of the Unemployment Committee was held this morning, when Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., was in the chair. Others present were Messrs Mansford, Batchelar, Christensen, Poynter, Hodgens, Gra.ham and Lowden (secretary). An apology for absence was received from Mr Collis.

The Commisioner of Unemployment advised that the time had now arrived for the unemployed to begin preparing their gardens.—The secretary stated that he would send a representative round dwellings to see into matters. The Glen Oroua School committee applied for a man to cut firewood. — Agreed to. The Fairfield Soldiers’ Settlement made an application for men to cut noxious weeds.—The secretary was instructed to ascertain what arrangements could be entered into in respect to subsidising the workers. The secretary reported that the Stoney Creek improvement work was held up meantime owing to unfavourable conditions and the Kairanga County Council had diverted the men to the gravel pit. The men would, however, be diverted to the Stoney Creek job as the position improved. Advice was received that the Sluggish and Manawatu Drainage Boards and the Kairanga and Manawatu County Councils would not be requiring any additional men in future. Mr Lowden mentioned that Mr J. Linklater, M.P., had advised him that it was possible that 10 single men could be placed for planting trees on the sand dunes at Tangimoana. The men would, however, have to be prepared to bach.

Mr Christensen stated that a proposal to establish a garden scheme on the oval at the racecourse would be a means towards absorbing. men. The chairman considered that it was doubtful whether the land in question would be available as the Racing Club grazed its own sheep on it. TRANSFER OF MEN.

In mentioning the probability of a number of men being transferred by a county authority from one riding to another, the secretary pointed out that there would be transport difficulties, and complaints would probably be heard in consequence, for no doubt there would be over-crowding of the lorries in some instances. Mr Christensen, while deploring the necessity • to overcrowd the lorries, considered that the position would not be so bad provided the lorry drivers exercised every care. Mr Poynter also stressed the dangers of accidents through over-loading, and held that the committee would bo awkwardly placed should an accident result. Mr Batchelar said that the only alternative left to the local body was to take the maximum number of men and leave the rest behind. , Mr Poynter mentioned that the men would not object to riding to the jobs provided they were given a cycle allowance. i , Mr Poynter, in tabling two pay sheets received from men at the Waipatiki camp, stated that it would appear that the rate of pay for scrub-cutting was 6s per acre, with an extra Is for extra thick scrub —not 9s as had been previously stated. Mr Christensen remarked that the hours worked made the rate of pay Id to 1 l-3d per hour, plus keep. Compared with the men under the 4a scheme the men in camp were at a big disadvantage, he said. Mr Mansford pointed out that probably the new rates had been introduced after the date of tho pay sheets. The chairman maintained that the complaints should come direct to the committee and not through an individual member. Mr Mansford suggested that the men be asked to form themselves into a committee, with a chairman whom the unemployment committee would recognise. It was decided to suggest to tho men that this course bo taken. Sixteen applications under No. 4a scheme were considered and three held over for further enquiries. Mr Lowden reported that the roll number now stood at 1611, with 34 new enrolments. There were 88 on the waiting list who were entitled to work. Mr Mansford mentioned that Mr J. Boyce had advised him that he would be unable to represent the Farmers’ Union on the committee and he would ask for another to be appointed. The chairman, in reporting that 12 youths had been enrolled under the Technical School scheme, stated that a meeting was being called to further the scheme, the main object being to find employment, together with furthering the technical operations of the youths enrolled.

Mr Christensen remarked that he would like to see the scheme go a great deal wider.