IDLE CARPENTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15746, 22 October 1914, Page 6

IDLE CARPENTERS.

PROVISION OF WORK.

APPEAL TO PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.

DIFFICULTIES ' OF THE POSITION.

A deputation of members of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, beaded by the organising secretarv, Mr'-" x. Blood worth, waited upon the executive of the Patriotic League yesterday. When a deputation from the Uarpentars' Union interviewed the Mayor last week, it was stated that over 200 carpenters were out of work, and Mr. Parr brought the matter under the notice of : Mr. W. Newton, officer in charge of the Labour Bureau at Auckland. In a letter - to tie Mayor, dated October 20, 3lr. ; W Newton said:—"ln reference to a depu- •*>' tation which waited upon you, represent- ' ing that 220 carpenters were out of work • and asking if there is anything I can ; suggest in the way of providing work, i t : nave to-day seen Mr. Bloodworth who'"' 5 was tne spokesman of the deputation and*'- 1 at advises me that fie has about TO* men ;V unemployed on his books, and he esti- r F mates that there are over 200 men out of work. As regards this, I may say that, this Department cannot accept the estimate unless we have the men actually IM registered. I would suggest that as a $: preliminary the whole of the carpenters at j S piesent out of work should register their - -v? names at this office, when definite repre- y %- sentations could then be made regarding the actual number seeking employment."T9 When Mr. Newton's letter was read, H the committee suggested to-the depute- ; : g -.on tnat the names of all carpenters out M <-•] work should be registered at the. Lab- .'Sp our Bureau, as apparently there was some" ;; - discrepancy in the estimate of the union 111 secretary. The committee pointed out \ < that mt. Bloodworth had said that there *#8 were 1400 carpenters in Auckland, white' only 1050 were on the books of the union. C M The deputation urged that the Mayor and Executive Committee should appeal to Ifl local bodies and the Harbour Board to Mip put in hand some work where carpenters 5 ;" -> might be engaged. In reply to a question, the Mayor stated Hfl§ that the scheme to provide workmen's ..jl I cottages at Grey Lynn had been lor the present. The City Council had* §1 - intended to take a poll this month for' the Ml raising of £40,000 to carry out '.the#.| scheme, but it was now recognised that, a"; I - would" be useless to .do this. . It waa' g doubtful whether the ratepayers would sanction the loan at present, and, in'r-jf? addition it was very much open to quea-'i-M tion whether the council would be,ai>Mß| to raise the money if it were given 5.-' authority to do so. . ""itiifP The executive pointed out the of the situation, and mentioned that owing to the moratorium and the decline in ;V-C; rents, it was very hard to induce holders', Sl of land to build at present. At the eameiA time the executive promised to use every gp endeavour to urge citizens with capital to proceed with the construction of buildings, and so relieve the situation.