Unemployment Matters

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6866, 24 May 1932, Page 9

Unemployment Matters

PALMERSTON N. COMMITTEE’S WEEKLY MEETING weekly meeting of the Palmerston North Unemployment Committee was held yesterday, Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., being in the chair. Also present were the Mayor (Mr. A. E. MansfoTd) and Messrs, D. Collis, H. Poynter, J. Hodgcns, A. J. Graham, J. Batchelar and J. Lowdcn (secretary). Before commencing tho ordinary business of the meeting, the chairman gavo a brief statement concerning the deputation to Wellington to interview tho Unemployment Board. In regard to the weekly allocation, Mr. Nash stated, the board had agreed to increase tho amount, and in reference to men sick in hospital, the time could be made np in all cases where the illness did not exceed seven days. The new scheme had also been discussed, but it was not to be put into operation in Palmerston North at present. Speaking of the proposal that farmers shpuld be invited to contribute wool, which could be manufactured into blankets for the unemployed, Mr. Nash said that the board was giving consideration to the matter and would communicate with tho committee later. Mr. Lowdcn had put forward the suggestion that the board should take out a comprehensive cover for all Telief workers at a reduced rate, but tho board had stated that the matter was now under discussion with the State Advances Department. Mr. Nash said there was a possibility that the No. 2 scheme would be reintroduced, and that advice from the board should be to hand within a few days. He added that tho employment of boys and girls was giving the board a great, deal of concern, and that an effort was being made to cope with the situation. He suggested that the committee should endeavour to get some idea of the number unemployed in the district and forward the information to the board. In regard to the increased weekly allocation, the Mayor expressed the hope that it would mean that the men could get more than two days a week. The Mayor and Mr. Batchelar moved that the chairman and secretary be accorded a vote of thanks for their efforts on behalf of the committee. The motion was carried. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the board, asking when the Palmerston North Committee could put the No. 2 scheme (employer to find half the reliof wages) into operation. The committee considered a circular from the Commissioner, dealing with the 4a, 4b and 5a ("over the fence”) schemes. The circular stated that the board had been collaborating with the Department of Agriculture with a view to bringing before the farmers the possibilities of employing relief workers on productive works, such as the eradication of noxious weeds. It was pointed out that the farmers were expected to pay something towards the cost of the work by keeping the men on for the remainder of the week, over and above tho men’s quota. Mr. Batchelar said he knew of one man who was not in a position to pay wages for tho remaining period, but who was prepared to give produce in lieu of money. The secretary explained that that would be quite in order. The circular was received. Tho Commissioner also advised, in reference to scheme 4a, that under the existing conditions a man was required to stand down for a fortnight at the end of a 26 weeks’ engagement, but an adjustment had been made whereby a man engaged for, say, ten weeks, and who stood down five days at the completion of that contract, could count the five days in the fortnight at the end of 26 weeks. In regard to a request from a gang working at .Bunnythorpe that the timo lost by a fellow worker through illness be made up, on the suggestion of the chairman it was decided to ask the board to reconsider its decision in reference to the matter. A request was received from the newly-constituted Palmerston North Homes Protection League for representation on tho committee. On the motion of Mr. Graham and the Mayor, it was resolved that the league be granted representation. The suggestion was put forward that as some of the principles of the league -were diametrically opposed to the functions of the Unemployment Board, it not be possible for a. representative of the league, acting on the committee, to assist the committee in carrying out the instructions of the Unemployment Board. After a short discussion, however, it was decided that the representative of any body having the interests of tho workers at heart could not help but be of assistance as a member of the committee. Nine applications for labour under scheme 4a wore considered and approved. According to the report submitted by the secretary there are 1416 unemployed on the register at present, 49 of them being new registrations. This week 900 married men have been placed and 310 single men, the totals including 47 new men. Practically overy man who bad been on the waiting list had been absorbed. The secretary stated that from 200 to 300 married men with one child would be placed as soon as the lists wore completed.