Unemployment Committee Invited to Co-operate With River Board

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6625, 11 August 1931, Page 5

Unemployment Committee Invited to Co-operate With River Board

IXOOD PROTECTION- SCHEME CAE be carried out with GOVERNMENT AID

Mr, J. A. Nash, M.P., presided at yosterday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Unemployment Committee, other members present being the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) and Messrs. J. Batcholar, A. J. Graham, J. Hodgens, D. Collis and J. Lowden (secretary). Mr. W. S. Carter (chairman of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board) waited 4n the committee in regard to the River Board’s proposal for flood protection and the suggestion that the. schemo should bo put into effect with labour engaged under the No. 5 scheme. Introducing. the subject, Mr. Carter said: “Of course, you all know that the River Board is up against it as far as finance is concerned, but our contention is that if the labour can be secured under the No. 5 schemo there is na reason why the schemo cannot be gone on with. ’ We realise that the position is bristling with difficulties, for the work cannot bo completed with manpower alone, and machinery will have to be utilised. In view of the slump,’’ added Mr. Carter, “it is quite impossible to load the land with further rates, but the River Board is confident that, in co-operation with the Government, the work can bo carried out, and if the Government’s sanction is given the scheme will offer unlimited employment.’’

Continuing, the speaker stated that, had the recent flood been a few inches higher, thousands of acres would have been inundated, while the lower end of the Moutoa was under water as it was. He asked if tho Palmerston North Unemployment Committee would assist tho River Board in putting the matter before the Minister. ‘ ‘ There is no need to stTess the value or the necessity for this work,” he added. “It is one of the most important outlined in this district for yeaTS. The area concerned is wonderful country, and if it is given complete immunity from floods it could be cut up for closer settlement, with the result that in from ten to fifteen years Palmerston North’s population would be doubled. It is far too big a job foT the River Board to undertake, and with a full appreciation of the difficulties we feel that the work can be carried out if the Government will assist. It is our intention to put the matter before the Minister, and we want the committee’s co-operation.” In answer to the chairman, Mr. Carter, said he did not anticipate any difficulty about compensation. Mr, Nash: You need machinery at the bottom end of the area? Mr. Carter: Yes. Mr. Nash: The. Government will probably meet you in that respect, hut the allocation for unemployment relief is £50,000 a week, and as there are 50,000 men out of work, there will be no chance of getting more money out of the Unemployment Board. Tho proposal seems quite feasible to me, and you will have to see what assistance you can get from the Public Works Department. Mr, Carter: The River Board is anxious to put the work in hand, but the land will not stand a further rate at present and it is no good going for a loan -• ; :

Mr. Nash: We quite understand the position, and we are hard'put to it to find enough work for the unemployed. Mr. Garter: According to our engineer, 50 men could be placed as soon as he got word to go ahead with the scheme, and 100 could be engaged within a month., Mr. Collis: Probably more. Mr. Carter: Wo are arranging for 5 deputation to Wellington, and it is hoped that the Mayor will be a member of it. No. 4a Scheme Advice was received that scheme No. 4a was to be suspended as from the end of August, and the secretary explained that the idea was to compel farmers to employ the usual seasonal labour. Under the scheme the men were employed for development work only, y. The chairman: The No. 2a scheme is one of tho best introduced and I think We should push it, asking tho board not to ease off during the winter months. The secretary reported that it had been necessary to cut all four-day men down to three days. In answer to the chairman, the secretary stated that there were 165 men out of work, 80 of them being married men. Replying to tho Mayor, Mr. Lowden Btated that there were approximately 1300 men on the city list at present. Mr. Mansford: Then the position is no worse? Mr. Lowden; No. Deputation of Unemployed

A deputation of unemployed waited on the committee, Mr. W. Watson, the principah speaker, explaining that they wished to know what was to be done for the men during tho week they were ant eligible' for relief work. Mr. Nash: This is your fourth week? Mr. Watson: Yes. We want to know What is going to. be done for us. Mr. Nash: The committee will do all it: can for you, but I do not soo that ' we can help you much. The terms of employment have been laid down by the Unemployment Board. The - expenditure is £50,000 a week, and there are 50,000 men out of work. Mr. Watson: It is bread and butter as far as we are concerned. Mr. Nash explained that when the Act was framed in 1930 it provided for an expenditure of £1,200,000. That amount was not sufficient and the scheme ended suddenly. Pressure had been brought to bear on the Government, which had agreed to carry on in the meantime, and subsequently the new Act had been passed by Parlianient. There was a limit to the funds, however, and to the relief that could be given, although tho committee was making representations to the Government that the maximum relief should be given during the winter months. Everybody would agree, added Mr. Nash, that there was a shortage of money, ahd'the committee would not be in a position-to give further help until after it had made representations to the Government. Mr. Watson: What are we going to do in the meantime? Unless we receive some help we will be thrown out of .oiir homes,, and' many will starve. Mr. Nash: It is not right to say that people will; be allowed to starve. The Central ■ Relief Committco will see to that.- , - . -' , , Mr. Bulford (a member of the deputhe City Council going to give us any work this week?. The Mayor: Yes; but this will be the last week the City Council will be able to do so. . :Mr. Nash: This committee has worked hard in your interests, but wo are not the Government. The allocation wa? cut down by £4OO recently, but wc have had that reinstated. Mr. Watson:-You could take up-the'

question of -eviction from hoipcs. Mr. Nash: That is another matter. Mr. Bulford: Unless we" get work during the fourth week a number of us will not .be-able to pay the next levy. Mr. Watson: Or to pay.the rent.' The Mayor: . The Hospital may have some work...;)/; • \-

Mr. Nash:-As things arc at'present ! fail to see any -hope of- tho men- ; got-: ting a full four' weeks’ work. Wo will do what Tyd’can. for-you, but we. can? not do morc-than wo are doing. .Ve"