THE UNEMPLOYED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 230, 29 August 1932, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED

TRANSPORT REFUSED. OWING TO BAD WEATHER. The weekly meeting of the Unemployment Committee was held to-day, when Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., presided. Others present were Messrs Mansford (the Mayor), Graham, Hodgens, Collis, i’oynter and Low den (secretary). An apology for absence was received from Mr Christensen. Tho problem of catering for No. 6 scheme men who are prevented from going to their jobs as the result of wet weather arose this morning when tho gangs on the Makerua and Manawatu Drainage Boards’ works were refused transport owing to the drain levels being up. Tho outcome was that a deputation numbering 60-odd men waited on the meeting to ascertain what could be done to alleviate the difficulties which were confronting them.

Ono speaker stated that 20 men had turned up to go out to the Makerua Drainage Board job this morning, hut had been prevented from doing so. The Manawatu Drainage Board, explained ' another speaker, was similarly placed and the position was leading to difficulties in respect to the maintaining of their wives and families. It was pointed out that part of tho work on the Makerua job was felling trees well above the river and it was difficult to understand why the men had been prevented from going out. The men were prepared to work to pay the unemployment levy this week. It was further pointed out that the local bodies did not possess a double supply of tools in the event of a double supply of men being sent out.

The chairman assured the deputation that the committee was fully sympathetic with them in their request. The secretary (Mr Lowden), however, was under instructions from the Unemployment Board and the position had been discussed prior to the deputation arriving. It had been decided that a telegram be immediately dispatched to the board urging that provision be made to meet such a position. He, personally, was of tho opinion, added Mr Nash, that, provided the men turned up at tho lorries, they should be credited with the day’s pay. It was arranged that representatives of the workers await on Mr Lowden Inter in the afternoon to ascertain the outcome of the committee’s request to the Unemployment Board. Later, the chairman reiterated his contention that the men were entitled to the day’s pay. Mr Poynter supported the chairman, and it was decided that endeavours be made to pay the men who had reported for work that morning. Three men also waited on the committee to present requests that thev be accorded a third day in their working weeks, to which they were entitled. The secretary stated that rather than return any surplus in the allocation granted to local bodies the foremen were allowed to grant an extra day as far as the money permitted. However, it was evident that closer checking was necessary and he promised that the matter would receive his attention.

Ten applications under No. 4a scheme were considered.