UNEMPLOYMENT IN PALMERSTON NORTH

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6945, 26 June 1929, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT IN PALMERSTON NORTH

INCREASE IN ROLL. RELIEF FROM DRAINAGE WORKS. The Palmerston North Unemployment committee met yesterday morning, Mr. J. A. Nash ,M.P., presiding. Also present wore: Messrs. F. C. Allerby aud A. J. Graham. Apologies were received from Messrs. P. T. Robinson and B. J. Jacobs. Tho roport submitted by tho Labour department officer (Mr. J. Lowden) showed that since the last meeting of the committee a substantial increase had taken place in the unemployed roll. At the meeting held on May 30, ' 43 married men with 107 dependents and 18 single men had applied for work. Tcstcrday, tho liguro had risen to 57 married men with 170 dependents and 12 single men. The cjominittee discussed the position with regard to the Sluggish River Drainago board's schemo which, it is anticipated, will absorb about 30 urnemployed. Mr. Nash stated that the plans for tho drainago work had been sent to tho Public Works Department officers for their approval, but so far had not boon returned. No reply had yet been received in connection with tho loan which was a,t present being considered by the Local Government Loans board. Until these matters had been finalised, the work could not proceed. Mr. Lowden reported that he had selected 19 men who would bo suitable for employment on the work. Ho understood that tho Drainago board intended to retain live of its present employees. The men would be paid 14s a day and would work a 47-hour, week. As far as he- knew, no arrange-' meuts had yet been made regarding tho board and lodging. Mr. Allerby expressed the opinion that the most satisfactory method of ! taking tho men to the job would be by means of a motor lorry to and from town. In this view, he was supported by the other members of the commitMr. Nash concluded tho discussion by stating that ho would do his best to facilitate matters with regard to the loan. Ho intended visiting Wellington