Unemployment Matters

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6837, 19 April 1932, Page 3

Unemployment Matters

NO GREAT INCREASE IN CITY REGISTRATIONS. Mr. J. A. Nash, M.F., was in the chair ut yesterday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Unemployment Committee. Other members present were Messrs. A .E. Mansford (Mayor), J. Batelielar, D. Collis, H. Foyntor, J, Hudgens, A. J. Graham and J. Lowden (secretary). In answer to Mr. Batchclar, the secretary stated that there was a very small increase in the number of registered unemployed and that thero were men going off the list all tho time and others making application for relief work.

Tho secretary reported that a. deputation consisting of SS men employed by the Sluggish River Board had waited upon him on Thursday with a very reasonable request that some allowance should be made for the timo spent in travelling to the job. It was explained that the men were required to travel further from tho base as timo went on but that no corresponding decrease had been made in the hours of work. It meant that the men had to leave for the job at 7 a.in. and did not return to tho rendezvous until 5 p.m., being away 10 hours. He (the secretary) had got into touch with the Sluggish River Board and it had been agreed that some allowance should bo made for travelling, giving the men 85 hours’ work during the day, including travelling time. Several applications for labour under Scheme 4A were considered and one under the No. 5 Scheme (over the fence), all being approved. Speaking of the winter months the secretary said that one of the problems to be given urgent, consideration was the provision of suitable working boots. Ho thought the committee should urge upon the Unemployment Board and the Government tho necessity of providing working boots, lie added that a great number of the men were •working in boots which would not stand up to the requirements of tho job.

Other speakers agreed that something should bo done about the matter and tho chairman promised to interview the Board and other authorities when in Wellington this week.

Referring lo the Unemployment Act the chairman stated that it contained a provision, giving the Unemployment Board the necessary power to take charge of the distribution of relief rations, apart from the rations issued by tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards.

The Mayor observed that under the existing arrangements the man getting four days work a week was drawing the same rations as the man getting only three days. In his opinion tho issue of rations would be made on a fairer basis if tho issue was controlled by the central authority.