Unemployment Committee Discusses Control

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6619, 4 August 1931, Page 5

Unemployment Committee Discusses Control

PALMERSTON NORTH’S PROBLEMS. A mooting of tlio Unemployment Committee was lield at Palmerston North yesterday, Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., occupying tho chair, while there were also present the Mayor, Mr. A. hi. Mansford, and Messrs A. J. Graham, J. Hodgens, J. Batchclar, D. Collis and J. Lowden (secretary). The- Commissioner wrote stating that it would be necessary to furnish a return on all productive worns and also to include such items as the class of work, the area included and the number of men employed. This, ho pointed out, particularly referred to drainage and now stopbanks. Mr. Lowden explained that little work on drains had been undertaken, while Messrs Hodgens and Batchclar added that there was an amount of this work available. Mr. Collis, however, declared that although farmers had virtually completed 95 per cent, of the cleaning work on existing drains there were many new ones that could be put in hand. Tho chairman of the Unemployment Board, the Hon. S. G. Smith, referring to tho recent interview with tho Prime Minister and himself regarding the transportation of unemployed men to relief work and in connection with the utilising of men on drainage works on private lands, stated that the latter question was now being considered by the board. Reference was also made to the arrangements to be mado with drainage boards in this connection. An Able-Bodied Man. Correspondence was also received from tho Commissioner stating that 119 further additional allocations would be made for relief works. Mr. Nash said that he saw' difficulties ahead for as far as the No. 5 scheme was concerned tho' Act provided that it was to be administered only with able-bodied men. Mr. Lowden: All the men arc doing able-bodied work, Mr. Mansford: What constitutes an able-bodied' man? Mr. Nash: One who can do a day’s work. Mr. Mansford: Are you going to draw any distinction between tho professional navvy and the casual labourer? Mr. Batchclar:, It depends on the class of work. Mr. Mansford: I should say an ablebodied man was one who has the full use of all his fauclties and limbs. Mr. Lowden: I think the board has the impression that there has been a number of men employed here over the age of 60-years and who have not followed their regular occupation as labourers. This-'is not the case.

£50,000 Every Week. Mr. Nash: Nevertheless, I can see difficulties ahead. Tho allotment for tie Dominion’s unemployed is £50,000 weekly and this is not satisfying the position. While tho Commissioner realises that more should be done he cannot exceed the amount. Mr. Hodgens: Why can’t they increase the allotment ? Mr. aßtchelar: They are in the same position as the local bodies —there is plenty of work but little money ami the amount to be expended cannot be exceeded. • At this stage discussion on this subject lapsed.

Miscellaneous Matters. The' - secretary stated' thht in ’regard to a request to put men on the Bunnythorpe rifle range for clearing up work on behalf of the recently formed volunteer corps, he had deemed it advisable that application be made- to tho Minister of Defence. This reply was endorsed. ' '-"v ; Mr. Lowden next said that he had a scheme under review for certain men, who at present were on four days a week, to be reduced to three days. He explained that although this might entail hardship in some cases, relief could be secured from the central depot. Mr. Hodgens submitted the case of the labourer working for three days weekly at 15s per day and receiving £9 for four weeks compared with tho married man, under No. 5 scheme, limited to four days weekly at 12s 6d per day for three out of four weeks and receiving £7 10s. To curtail him a further.'day would reduce the amount to £5 12s Gd for _ the. month. Ho added that the present rationing system was a voluntary one and, with increased taxation, it might not continue. Mr. Mansford said the Relief Committee was expending between £3O and £4O weekly for supplies and it was only tho donations of citizens that kept it below £IOO. Mr. Nash stated that the effect of the secretary’s scheme would havo to be watched for if any hardships were entailed the position would not bo any better. It-was added-' by Mr. Mansford that the centre’s allocation was only £1350 for 1300 unemployed.