R.S.A. and Unemployed

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6835, 16 April 1932, Page 8

R.S.A. and Unemployed

ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR In his annual report regarding the activities of tho Returned Soldiers’ Association in relation to unemployment during tho year ended March 31 last, tho president (Mr. B. J. Jacobs) states that never before have such demands been mado on tho association to relieve distress and unemployment among exservice men in this city. He adds: “Quito modestly I think that what the association has been able to achieve during the year is a matter of great congratulation and pride. It must, however, not be overlooked that the excellent results could never havo been attained had it not been for the very generous assistance that has been forthcoming from various sources. This assistance refers to thoso from whom we havo been fortunate enough to receive moneys for tho furtherance of tho object, and then to those who have cooperated with us with a view to absorbing our employed to as great an extent as possible. I would first of all deal with tho moneys that have been made available to us in connection with our unemployment scheme. First there was the net sum of £l5O 4/8 raised by means of the Poppy Day appeal in April, 1931. For this excellent result, we are deeply indebted to all those ladies who so generously assisted in tho matter of sales. Next the Manawatu Patriotic Society has contributed no less a sum than £420 during the year towards our unemployed fund, without which really no moasure of success could have been achieved by the association. Through tho Canteen Tmst Fund Board wc havo received during the year £250, and through tho National "War Funds Council a sum of £l5O. To thoso two institutions our deepest, thanks aro offered. Outside these regular sources wo received a donation through Major Ashworth and Mr. S. Jickell of £l4 15/2, and sundry donations (mostly church collections) of £4 5/10, making a grand total of £9S9 15/S.

“The means of affording relief against unemployment can really be dealt with under separate headings, which at the same time'will show the expenditure of moneys assignable to each heading. These arc as follows: — Subsidised full-time labour through the City Council: In this regard the City Council made a grant of £2 for every £1 subscribed by tho association. The association paid under this heading tho sum of £4OO, the result of which was that upwards of £I2OO of payments for labour were forthcoming for unemployed ex-scrvicc men. Under this heading 52 married men with families participated. Economic distress: In this respect we have always endeavoured to confine it to an absolute minimum. Throughout tho year only certain cases of economic distress wore assisted where labour was not available to the recipient, involving an expenditure of £35 5/11. Subsidised private labour: Under this heading wo asked the co-operation of private citizens to employ our men on tho basis of a subsidy of one-half or one-third of tho wages paid. Wc received a very satisfactory response from tho public, the result being that 135 men were placed on these private works S'or varying times, some being as long as six or seven v.-olcs. The total expenditure up to d..wO is £136 10/10, although wo still have one or two small liabilities regarding it. This means payment for labour of approximately £IOO. ,

Fourth week relief: Under this scheme we sought to give some measure of relief to the unemployed ex-service men during their fourth week under the No. 5 scheme. For a time this consisted of the City Council finding two days for the fourth week and the association one, but latterly, owing to the inability of the council to continue this arrangement, the association has been finding two days’ work during the fourth week for the unemployed through the City Council. In all, up to March 31 last the liability of the association under this heading was £343. In addition, a similar arrangement was mado with the Oroua County Council. Each month, altogether, an average of about 75 married men have thus been employed. “This, makes a grand total of expenditure on labour and distress of £914 l!5/9. The sole expense in the administration of this big undertaking which has to be debited to the funds is £lll 3/9, which is represented entirely by advertising in connection with Poppy Day and in connection with seeking private work. All this expenditure makes a grand total of £927 0/C, which, with our few remaining liabilities ou subsidised labour and our liability to the Oroua County Council, will mean that practically the whole of the money received by us has been expended.

"1 have already said that this most excellent result would never have been possible had it not been for the generous assistance of those who contributed to the funds and those who then cooperated with us to absorb our labour, and -I am sincerely hoping that the result of the Poppy Day sales and the continuation of financial assistance from the various bodies mentioned wit! be our lot again this year, and that in addition we will bn able to rely upon the co-operation of the City Council and private citizens to enable us to present as satisfactory a report at the end of next year. It is a pity that no record was kept of the cases of private citizens who employed our men without requiring any subsidy. Ev this mcaus, however, the number of individual cases assisted is substantially increased. n

“Perhaps I should not close this report without some word to and regarding the men whom we have been endeavouring to assist. My congratulations and thanks go out to them for the manly way in which they have tackled their work, resulting in practically every case of extreme satisfaction having been expressed as to the quantity and quality of the work that they have given in return for their employment under most distressing circumstances. My report must make an appeal to them to continuo to assist the association as they can, by carefully endeavouring to give satisfaction when they arc employed through the Association.”