UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 8 December 1930, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

COMMITTEE FORMED IN NELSON A meeting presided over by the De-puty-Mayor (Councillor Watson) was held on Saturday evening in the City Council ChambeTs. It was also attended by Councillors G. Page and F. W. Huggins (City Council), Mr H. R. Duncan, Mr A. Gould (Harbour Board), Mr F. W. 0. Smith and Mr Kidson (Hospital Board), Mr C. Milner and Mr N. A. Vercoe (Employers' Association), Mr F. I. Ledger (Chamber of Commerce), Mr A. Robinson (Tahuna Sands Association), Mr Ross (Labour Department). It was resolved to form a local Unemployment Committee of representatives of the following:—City Council, Harbour Board, Hospital Board, Employers' Association, Chamber of Commerce, Tahuna Sands Association, Progress League and R.S.A.

The meeting decided to telegraph the Hon. 11. Atmore* M.P.. member for the district, and Mr G. C. Black, M.P., member for Motueka, strongly protesting against the action of the Government in sending' men to this district when there are already over 50 outside, men in the city seeking work. Twenty. four men arrived from Wellington that morning, and were being sent to the" Public Works Department camp at Ronga-Croixelles. Some of these strangers in the town could have been sent. It was further resolved that a letter be sent to the Unemployment Board notifying it of tho formation and constitution of the local committee, and asking for the following informatibn: —(1) Confirmation of the appointment of the committee; (2) information as to how to co-operate with the Board and the extent of the powers; (3) procedure necessary for carrying out the Board's second scheme with regard to subsidising employment given by private individuals: All present were seized of the inlportance of urgent action if relief, as intended by the National Board, is to'be effective before Christmas, arid it is, hoped that Nelson's claims will receive immediate recognition.