UNEMPLOYMENT RATES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 11 June 1926, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES

PREMIER CRITICISED (United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, This Day. A meeting of the Otago Labour Council condemned Hie Premier's proposal to employ men under the award rates, stating: "We deny emphatically the right or authority of any official to over-ride the decisions of the Arbitration Court, even under the pretence of relieving distress. Furthermore, we regard as particularly reprehensible the Premier's unconscionable attempt to take advantage of destitution, which has been rendered more acute by his own immigration policy and to drive an unjust bargain with innocently helpless unfortunates. We refuse to believe that the people of New Zealand wish to be made partners in a practice of this kind, which can be regarded only as a ilagrant abuse of power."" POSITION AT PALMERSTON NORTH J PALMERSTON NV, 11ms'Day. A meeting wss held this morning at the*request,.of the Prime Minister, Mr iNash, M.P., presiding, to consider means of relieviang the unemployment position locally, which is very acute. The labour inspector reported that there were in town 135 married men with dependents, totalling 438 out of work, as well as 35 single men; Of those totals there were 30 distressed cases, affecting 123 dependents. After discussion on local measures for relieving the position, a committee was set rip .to find employment in town and select deserving cases for engagement. It was decided to send the following resolution to Mr Coates: "That wo view with alarm the amount of unemployment.in Palmerston North and consider as the railway works here have been commenced .and constitute a work of a productive nature, the remedy is ..easily available by providing more work :onthe, deviation in order to absorb as far as'possible all the local -unemployed."— : . Nash." . :