UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE INCREASE IN P.N.

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6911, 17 May 1929, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE INCREASE IN P.N.

ANOTHER TELEGRAM SENT TO THE PRIME MINISTER At a meeting of the Palmerston North Unemployment committee held yesterday morning, Mr J. Lowden (officer in charge of the Palmerston North Labour oflice) reported that since the last meeting of the committee on April 27, unemployment registrations had shown a serious increase. There were now 38 married men with 99 dependents on the books, in addition to 10 single men, as against 27 married men with 67 dependents and eight single men on April 27. In commenting upon the increase, Mr Lowden stated that thero appeared to be no demand for labour at present. Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., who presided, stated that he had not yet had a reply to the telegram dispatched by the committee to the Prime Minister enquiring what measures the government intended to take for the relief of unemployment in Palmerston North. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. A. E. Ransom) had also promised to look into tho position, but so far had forwarded no communication. It was decided to wire Sir Joseph Ward again, and the following telegram wa3 drafted: “Referring to previous telegram from Mayor and self, I would be glad if you would let me know what steps are being taken for the relief of unemployment in Palmerston North. The position is very acute. —J. A. Nash.” The Mayor (Mr A. J. Graham) mentioned that the borough had made arrangements to provide work for a number of unemployed returned soldiers, who would be put on kerbing and channelling construction. Mr Lowdon: The position is that the returned soldiers will take all the work that will be available this winter. The Mayor: I am afraid so. Mr Nash pointed out that the drainage work referred to by the Prime Minister in connection with the relief of district unemployment was quite a small thing and would not relieve the position a great deal. After some further discussion of the position, it was a'lso decided to draft a joint letter to tho press from the Mayor and Dir Nash, appealing to citizens to provide work for unemployed men. Air Nash asked what proportion of the married men on the Labour department books were able-bodied and capable of undertaking heavy work. Air Lowden stated that he considered 90 per cent of the men could undertake this class of labour, but the Mayor differed on this point, stating that he would put the percentage considerably lower than 90. IJo had found also that quite a number of the men out of work had just conie to Palmerston North, and some of them had even bought homes. _ 1 Air Lowden: I don’t think many of tho men asking for work can be classed as wasters. I smell drink on them very seldom. The Alayor: TSrat is so. There will be fewer of that kind this year than last, when a number drifted in because of the deviation.