Unemployment

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5573, 11 February 1931, Page 7

Unemployment

MORE WORK THAN MEN OFFERING.

From Our Own Correspondent,

Communications were received at the Foxton Borough Council meeting on Monday night from the Department of Labour at Palmerston North and the Unemployment Board regarding the operations of the Board’s No. 5 relief scheme. The Mayor stated that the council had that day put on 20 men under the scheme and these were being employed in uncovering the gas mains and service connections for the purpose of overhauling same and replacing defective pipes, etc. where necessary. It was useful work and would occupy some weeks and would also cnablo the council to obtain a completo plan of tho gas reticulation of tho borough. At present there seemed to be a shortage of men locally and he had been asked by the chairman of the Moutoa Drainage Board if tho council could not delay their work in order that the work provided by tho Drainago Board, which could only bo carried out during tho dry weather, might be proceeded with. The Drainage Board had work for 30 men daily for several weeks, but as yet had only been able to secure 15 men and, of course, under the scheme, many of these men were entitled to work only two or three days each week. The Mayor suggested that the council should not employ any further men in the meantime, or until other local bodies could have their requirements met. It was apparent at present, that under tho No. 5 scheme there was more work offering than there were men available and under tho Act it was tho duty of the Unemployment Committee to adviso the Unemployment Board to thi3 effect. Mr. Trueman stated that up to tho present, 20 men had been sent to Oroua Downs, the council were employing 21 and 15 had been detailed for work by the Drainage Board. He anticipated that more men would be available next week. The Mayor said that the Harbour Board would probably also be asking the committee for a largo number of men in tho near future. Affer further discussion it was decided not to employ any further men under the scheme at present.